Stamford College Sports Department have launched a brand new 2 year full time course which results in learners leaving with the equivalent of the Level 2 Fitness Instructor and Level 3 Personal Trainer qualification.
This allows learners to go straight into the work place as a self employed or employed Personal Trainer. Normally, students would leave their Level 3 sports course and then need to self fund these qualifications, but a new course launched by BTEC and validated by CIMSPA (Chartered Institute for the management of Sport and Physical Activity) brings these additional qualifications into the main programme of study.
Students in year 11 and above can now apply for the course, which runs from the newly renovated Borderville Sports Centre on Ryhall Road, Stamford. For most 16-19 year olds the course is fully funded and covers topics including Careers, Health and Well Being, Self Employment, Nutrition and Business and Technology. Alongside this, learners study the equivalent of the Level 2 Fitness Instructor qualification in Year 1, and then the Level 3 Personal Trainer qualification in Year 2. The course is taught by a dedicated team of professionals with huge amounts of experience in not only teaching, but working in the fitness industry as personal trainers and fitness instructors.
The new Borderville Sports Centre has just benefited from an extension which has doubled the number of classrooms and includes a Sports Science Lab, a fully operational gym with CV and resistance machines, free weights, squat rack and smiths machine. There are showers and changing facilities and an on site Bistro for snacks and lunch. Students at Borderville benefit from the college transport from a number of areas outside of Stamford including Corby, Spalding, Peterborough, Oakham and further afield. Students also benefit from use of the Gym, a full enrichment programme, trips and visits and work experience, making this an ideal course for all aspiring fitness professionals.
Entry requirements for the course sit at 4 GCSE’s grade 4 or above as a minimum plus English and/or Maths. For students who struggle to meet the grades in English or Maths retakes are required and additional lessons provided but this is taken on a case by case basis. 100% commitment to becoming a Personal Trainer is needed and this is judged through an online (or face to face when restrictions allow) interview and taster day. All of the units are assessed via coursework, observations and video/audio evidence - there are no exams.
Caz Dolby, lecturer at Stamford College said “The Sport, Fitness and Personal Training Diploma is a fabulous way for learners leaving school to not only compete a Level 3 qualification but also become fully qualified as a Personal Trainer. The facilities now at Borderville are exceptional and give students the chance to learn in a dedicated environment with lecturers who also have extensive experience in the fitness industry."
