BTEC Sport

Sixth Form students will take the BTEC Diploma (equivalent to 2 A-Levels) plus one other A-Level subject.

This ensures a balanced programme of study, with three qualifications in total. Students will also complete Complementary Study and Carousel options, as with the rest of the Sixth Form.

The assessment is 54% coursework (portfolios, presentations, experiments, coaching sessions) and 46% external exams. Students are not assessed on sporting performance. The final grades awarded are Distinction (D), Merit (M), Pass (P), with Distinction (D)** available for top candidates. BTEC final grades are dual (e.g., D*D or DD), reflecting equivalence to two A-Levels.

The course is an excellent choice for students who prefer continuous assessment rather than relying solely on final exams, those with a clear interest in sport-related degrees or careers and students who thrive in applied, practical learning environments.

The option to select another A-Level, to complete alongside the BTEC, means that students in RGS Sixth Form will still be able to study a breadth of interests.

The BTEC also suits those of our students who are certain as to their future pathway. If a student is sure that a degree relating to sport or a career in sport is their desired pathway, the BTEC provides for this specialisation. This extended study of sports science enables a more thorough preparation in this specialist field, prior to admission to university, more so than the A-Level in PE.

For the BTEC, Year 12 students will have 20 lessons per fortnight, and Year 13 will have 22 lessons per fortnight. Up to 8 hours supervised study may be provided if required. In addition, they will study their A-Level option (which will have a total of 10 lessons per fortnight in Year 12 and 11 lessons per fortnight in Year 13).

The two-year programme is detailed in Appendix A below. Each unit builds towards mastery, combining theory with applied practice so that RGS students will make step by step progress. We have designed the course to ensure a variety of experiences, from anatomy and physiology, to psychology and coaching, so that our students will gain a holistic view of sport science. The research methods and applied assessments will prepare students for higher education, for those who wish to progress to university.

Regular, internal assessment also helps pupils to build their final grade over the duration of the course, breaking down the task into smaller, manageable segments, rather than being faced by pressure of a final exam on which the entire grade and their final university place depend.

The BTEC also requires students to work independently on portfolios; this work will be undertaken during study periods, in the same way that A-Level students would use this time to work on their homework.

The current A-Level in Physical Education will continue for Y12 students who started this course in September 2025, they will conclude their A-Level in Summer 2027. This will be the last cohort of RGS students to sit A-Level PE, which will be replaced by the BTEC in Sport and Exercise Science for students starting Sixth Form from September 2026.  Our analysis of the experience of our recent and current students studying PE indicates that the BTEC in Sport and Exercise Science would be the most suitable course, enabling them to progress into competitive university courses and careers.

The BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Sport and Exercise Science, studied alongside one other A-Level at RGS Newcastle, provides a strong, balanced portfolio which opens a range of options for students looking at higher education. BTECs are work-related qualifications suitable for a wide range of pupils, built to accommodate the needs of employers and allow progression to university.

This combination is widely accepted across Russell Group universities, especially for sport science, physiotherapy, and health-related degrees and is warmly welcomed by leading sporting institutions (for example Bath, Loughborough, Exeter, Brunel).

Some of the Russel Group Universities accepting BTECs to read sport:

·         Newcastle University – Accepts BTECs for many courses, including sport-related subjects.

·         University of Exeter – Strong in sport science; accepts BTECs, typically requiring DD plus a science A-Level.

·         University of Manchester – Accepts BTEC Level 3 Diplomas for many courses. For sport-related degrees, they may require Distinction grades and sometimes an accompanying A-Level in Biology or another science.

·         University of Leeds – Welcomes BTEC applicants; Sport and Exercise Science typically require DDD plus an A-Level in a science subject.

·         University of Liverpool – Accepts BTECs for a wide range of programmes, including sport science, often requiring high grades.

·         University of Sheffield – Considers BTEC applicants, sometimes alongside A-Levels depending on the course.

·         University of Birmingham – Accepts BTECs for sport and health-related degrees, usually requiring Distinction grades.

·         Cardiff University – Considers BTEC applicants for sport science and physiotherapy, often with additional science requirements.

For those not considering University, BTEC in Sport and Exercise Studies is particularly welcomed by employers and professional bodies in sport, health, and fitness industries, because of the practical skills learned and applied on the course.

With or without degrees, graduates of sport science go on to apprenticeships and careers including physiotherapy, coaching, and employment in sport, fitness, and health industries.

We already have extensive experience in delivering A-Level PE within the RGS Sports Department and are well placed to deliver the academic and practical elements of the course. The primary lead will be Ms Andrea Lill, Assistant Director of Sport with our broader team of qualified PE Teachers and specialist sports coaches supporting delivery of the various units. Mrs Angela Ponton (Director of Sport) and Ms Polly Enevoldson (Head of Sixth Form) will oversee programme compliance and quality assurance, with support from Mr John Wood (Assistant Head of Year, Sixth Form, & Head of Complementary Studies).

The BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Sport and Exercise Science is a carefully designed pathway that takes students step-by-step through the science, psychology, and practice of sport. Here is how the journey unfolds:

Year 1: Building Strong Foundations

• Autumn Term
  • Unit 1: Functional Anatomy – discover how the body works at its core.
  • Unit 4: Coaching for Performance and Fitness – learn to inspire and lead others.
  • Unit 7 (optional): Sociocultural Issues in Sport and Exercise – explore the bigger picture of sport in society.
• Spring Term
  • External exam: Functional Anatomy (Jan).
  • Begin Unit 2: Sport and Exercise Physiology – dive into the science of performance.
  • Continue Units 4 and 7.
• Summer Term
  • External resit opportunity: Functional Anatomy (May/June).
  • Unit 5: Field and Laboratory-based Fitness Testing – hands-on testing and analysis.
  • Unit 8 (optional): Physical Activity for Individual/Group Exercise OR Specialised Fitness Training – tailor your expertise.

Year 2: Specialisation and Mastery

• Autumn Term
  • Complete Unit 2: Sport and Exercise Physiology.
  • Start Unit 3: Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology – understand the mind behind performance.
  • Continue Unit 8 (optional).
• Spring Term
  • External exams: Sport and Exercise Physiology & Applied Psychology (Jan).
  • Begin Unit 6: Applied Research Methods – develop skills for university-level study.
• Summer Term
  • External resits: Sport and Exercise Physiology & Applied Psychology (May/June).
  • Complete Unit 6.
  • Wrap up any remaining optional units.

At-a-Glance Timetable