Plymouth School Sports Partnership (PSSP) Sports Apprenticeship
Whitleigh Primary & Sir John Hunt CSC Federation
Devon (PL5 4AA)
Closes in 16 days (Monday 8 December 2025 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 21 November 2025
Contents
Summary
PSSP seeks an apprentice to support the delivery of school sports programmes across Plymouth. The role involves planning, coaching, and assisting with events, clubs, and outdoor activities. Based at Sir John Hunt College, you'll be an integral part of our dynamic team, helping to inspire young people.
- Wage
-
£14,526.20 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Based on a 37-hour week, working 39 weeks of the year with the potential for an incremental raise/overtime hours and long-term employment opportunities for the right candidate.
- Training course
- Community activator coach (level 2)
- Hours
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Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm. Specific shifts to be negotiated with the school.
37 hours a week
- Start date
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Friday 2 January 2026
- Duration
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1 year 3 months
- Positions available
-
1
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
The post holder will support a successful programme of activities for schools across Plymouth, which involves the planning, organisation and delivery of activities. The post holder will also have the ability to coach/deliver sessions within schools to support the wider PSSP programmes. The successful candidate will be an integral part of the School Sport Partnership Team and will be based at Sir John Hunt Community College. The role will also involve supporting the Outdoor and Adventurous Activities and Indoor Rowing work programmes carried out by the Partnership as well as festivals, events and extra-curricular clubs.
The professional duties and responsibilities include;
- Support the delivery of high-quality coaching sessions that are young person focused.
- Support coaching sessions for specifically targeted groups e.g. disabled young people, Key Stage 4 girls etc.
- Plan, lead and review coaching sessions for young people in a manner which engages with, and adds value to, the coaching/teaching skills of the wider pool of teachers and sports coaches.
- To actively support the transition of young people from school to community sport by, for example, the establishment of after-school clubs and facilitating school-club links.
- To be committed to your own personal professional development.
- To take part in the Development Programmes of the PSSP and Key Partners as directed.
- To represent the PSSP and it’s Partners in a positive and professional manner at all times.
- To ensure the health, safety and welfare of yourself, participants and others at all times.
- Conduct sessions in accordance with the policy of the PSSP and its Partners where appropriate.
- To take part in other activities as commensurate with job role and grade.
- To actively commit to positive promotion of the PSSP when dealing with ‘customers’ when using any communication media including telephone, email and face to face.
Where you'll work
Lancaster Gardens
Plymouth
Devon
PL5 4AA
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
PLYMOUTH ARGYLE FOOTBALL IN THE COMMUNITY TRUST
Training course
Community activator coach (level 2)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Promote the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and physical activity for individuals and communities.
- Encourage individuals' participation, motivation and to change their behaviour towards sport or physical activity.
- Contribute to inclusive, safe and effective sessions.
- Plan, follow, adapt, and deliver session plans, based on participant needs and feedback.
- Use coaching styles for sport or physical activity sessions meeting the participants needs and motivations.
- Promote the benefits of a lifelong activity habit.
- Use techniques to build rapport with participants.
- Carry out the tasks required before, during and after a community activity.
- Support participants to overcome personal or societal barriers.
- Manage individuals' behaviours within a group setting.
- Work collaboratively with services and other community organisations to run events that make the best use resources.
- Record and store data and information, in line with legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
- Use suitable digital technology to deliver targeted messages to participant groups.
- Adapt communication methods to meet the needs of participants and groups.
- Identify and respond to safeguarding concerns within own scope of role and in line with organisational protocols.
- Support equity, diversity and inclusion in line with legislation and organisational policies.
- Support the mental health and wellbeing of self and participants.
- Comply with health and safety legislation, regulations, risk assessment procedures, guidelines and procedures.
- Participate in personal and professional development.
- Maintain professional boundaries within scope of own role.
- Monitor and review the effectiveness of activity sessions.
- Assist with the resolution of challenges and problems.
- Promote the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and physical activity for individuals and communities.
- Encourage individuals' participation, motivation and to change their behaviour towards sport or physical activity.
- Contribute to inclusive, safe and effective sessions.
- Plan, follow, adapt, and deliver session plans, based on participant needs and feedback.
- Use coaching styles for sport or physical activity sessions meeting the participants needs and motivations.
- Promote the benefits of a lifelong activity habit.
- Use techniques to build rapport with participants.
- Carry out the tasks required before, during and after a community activity.
- Support participants to overcome personal or societal barriers.
- Manage individuals' behaviours within a group setting.
- Work collaboratively with services and other community organisations to run events that make the best use resources.
- Record and store data and information, in line with legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
- Use suitable digital technology to deliver targeted messages to participant groups.
- Adapt communication methods to meet the needs of participants and groups.
- Identify and respond to safeguarding concerns within own scope of role and in line with organisational protocols.
- Support equity, diversity and inclusion in line with legislation and organisational policies.
- Support the mental health and wellbeing of self and participants.
- Comply with health and safety legislation, regulations, risk assessment procedures, guidelines and procedures.
- Participate in personal and professional development.
- Maintain professional boundaries within scope of own role.
- Monitor and review the effectiveness of activity sessions.
- Assist with the resolution of challenges and problems.
Training schedule
On Level 2 Community Activator Coach standard, you will work towards the following:
- Behaviours, Skills & Knowledge.
- Functional Skills in maths and English at level 2 (if not already exempt through prior qualifications).
- End-Point Assessment (EPA).
- You will have regular visits at the workplace from a designated assessor to observe your progress and competence in the role you are carrying out.
- Training will take place one day a month with Argyle Community Trust at The Foulston Park Community Hub.
- Apprenticeship standard Community Activator Coach.
- Training provider - Plymouth Argyle Community Trust.
Most aspects of your training will be delivered on-site by the employer at your workplace, and you will have regular visits every six to eight weeks by your designated assessor from Argyle Community Trust, who will monitor your progress throughout your apprenticeship programme.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 4-9 (A-C))
- Maths (grade 4-9 (A-C))
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Presentation skills
- Administrative skills
- Number skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
- Non judgemental
- Patience
- Physical fitness
Other requirements
Skills Required: Experience of working within a sporting, educational or administrative context would be advantageous, however a determination to see young people succeed is of the utmost importance. You will have strong problem solving, communication and team work skills, with the successful candidate anticipated to regularly utilise their skills in forward planning and initiative. An ability to motivate and inspire young people in striving toward their full potential will form an essential part of this role, with the ability to adapt plans and have the foresight to potential obstacles being of paramount importance. You will have outstanding organisational skills. Personal Qualities: The successful candidate will be an outgoing, charismatic and innovative individual who has a natural infinity in engaging and enthusing students across the school. Flexibility, good timekeeping and an optimistic approach will all be traits sought in candidates who can act as professional role models at all times. This role will suit an individual who is organised and hardworking, as they work to support all areas of the Plymouth School Sports Partnership. Strong literacy skills will also form a part of this role, with a requirement to write reports and send letters to schools and other external partners from time to time. Prior Qualifications: GCSE Maths and English A-C are essential. No other formal qualifications are required as full training will be provided. It would however be advantageous for the successful applicant to have an interest in the Sport and Education sectors, in addition to administrative experience and a critical eye for detail. National Governing Body (NGB) qualifications and strong literacy and numeracy skills will also be attributes sought in the successful candidate.
About this employer
The Plymouth School Sports Partnership was established in 2011 by blending together the best elements from the City’s two School Sports Co-ordinator Partnerships to create a citywide organisation to meet the needs of children and young people aged 5-18 years old in the Plymouth travel to learn area who attend Partnership subscribing schools. The PSSP is run for schools by schools and currently works with 15 Secondary Schools, 52 Primary Schools and 2 Special Schools. The strategic direction for the Partnership is set by our Steering Group, which includes two Secondary, three Primary and one Special School Head Teacher representatives, colleagues from Active Devon, Plymouth City Council and both the City’s Universities all of whom act as advocates for the Partnership, promoting the opportunities it offers within the organisations and sectors they represent.
After this apprenticeship
This is a superb opportunity to gain experience within a wide range of school settings and can therefore act as the perfect foundation for progressing into a career in education and/or sport.
The Partnership have employed modern apprentices since 2009 some of whom have gone on to complete advanced apprenticeships with us. One of the previous apprentices has joined us on a permanent basis whilst others have gone on to higher education or other employment upon completing their apprenticeships.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
PLYMOUTH ARGYLE FOOTBALL IN THE COMMUNITY TRUST
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000001491.
Apply now
Closes in 16 days (Monday 8 December 2025 at 11:59pm)
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