Curriculum overview for OCR Level 1/Level 2 Cambridge Nationals in Sport Studies

Curriculum intent – the knowledge, understanding and skills that students will learn
Students will develop knowledge, understanding and skills that can be applied  to a range of approaches that are relevant to the workplace or higher education. They will be able to work with independence to create material which shows effective planning, development and evaluation, and an ability to demonstrate practical skills and qualities. Students will develop the skills to produce work that is complete and coherent, demonstrating independence and understanding. In particular they will be able to recall, select and apply knowledge and understanding, using practical sporting examples; demonstrate knowledge and understanding of physical and psychological factors that affect performance, as well as demonstrating practical performance skills within two sporting activities; identify, plan and carry out a range of activities and exercises to prepare for, and recover from, sporting activities; demonstrate awareness of how to meet specific needs when developing and delivering different physical activity programmes; use technical language and terminology correctly; and demonstrate evaluative skills. All of these skills will help students progress onto further study in the Exercise, Physical Activity, Sport and Health sector. This may be a Level 3 vocational qualification, such as the Cambridge Technical in Sport and Physical Activity, AS or A levels, such as Physical Education, Psychology, Sociology, Sport or Media or an apprenticeship in Community activator coach, Leisure team member, Personal trainer or an Outdoor activity instructor.

Curriculum implementation – teaching, learning and assessment strategies
The first of two mandatory units is ‘Contemporary issues in sport’ (R184) which is assessed by an exam. By completing this unit, students will understand a range of topical and contemporary issues in sport, including learning about participation levels and barriers to completing sporting activities. They will also learn how participation is impacted by the promotion of values and ethical behaviour, about the role of high-profile sporting events, the role of national governing bodies and how technology is used in within sport. Topics include issues which affect participation in sport; the role of sport in promoting values; the implications of hosting a major sporting event for a city or country; the role National Governing Bodies (NGBs) play in the development of their sport; and the use of technology in sport. The second mandatory unit is ‘Performance and leadership in sports activities’ (R185) which is assessed by a set assignment. In this unit, students have an opportunity to develop their skills both as a performer in two different sporting activities, and as a leader, developing a range of transferable skills. They will work both independently and as part of a team, including communicating with team mates, as well as being in front of an audience when they perform. Students will perform under pressure, both as a participant and as a leader, and will use their initiative to solve problems and make decisions. Finally, students will deal with rapidly changing conditions and situations. Topics include key components of performance; applying practice methods to support improvement in a sporting activity; organising and planning a sports activity session; leading a sports activity session; reviewing their own performance in planning and leading a sports activity session.

The first of two optional units is ‘Sport and the media’ (R186) which is assessed by a set assignment. In this unit, students will understand the different sides of a range of media sources and apply real life examples to show the nature of the relationship between media and sport. They will also learn how rapid development in technology is enabling sport to be viewed, replayed and discussed whenever and wherever the spectator wants. Students will then develop their ability to evaluate and interpret the different ways in which sport is represented by the media. Topics include the different sources of media that cover sport; positive effects of the media in sport; and negative effects of the media in sport. The second optional unit is ‘Increasing awareness of Outdoor and Adventurous Activities’ (R187) which is assessed by a set assignment. In this unit students will understand how to find out information about what opportunities there are in their local area, as well as nationally in the UK for all different types of outdoor and adventurous activities. They will learn how to enjoy the activities safely by finding out what equipment, clothing, facilities and technology is needed, as well as completing planning to help keep people safe. Topics include provision for different types of outdoor and adventurous activities in the UK; equipment, clothing and safety aspects of participating in outdoor and adventurous activities; Plan for and be able to participate in an outdoor and adventurous activity and evaluate participation in an outdoor and adventurous activity.

Curriculum impact – intended outcomes for students 
The Cambridge National in Sport Studies will encourage students to understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of Sport Studies; develop learning and practical skills that can be applied to real-life contexts and work situations; think creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically and critically; develop independence and confidence in using skills that are relevant to the Exercise, Physical Activity, Sport and Health sector and more widely; understand topical and contemporary issues in sport, including why people do and do not participate in sport, the promotion of ethics and values, the roles of National Governing Bodies and high profile events have in sport, as well as how technology is used within sport; develop skills as a performer in two different sporting activities and learn how to lead sporting activity sessions; create a plan, write and evaluate an activity session, to further develop leadership skills; analyse their own performance to help improve themselves and their skills in sport; explore the relationship that media has with sport and understand how linked they are; develop the skills of team working, research and planning and understand that sports performance goes far beyond just the simple physical activity of sport; take part in outdoor and adventurous activities in natural settings, learning how to do this safely as well as understanding the benefits of these activities.

Course overview for OCR Level 1/Level 2 Cambridge Nationals in Sport Studies
Exam board: OCR - https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/cambridge-nationals/sport-studies-level-1-2-J829/qualification-at-a-glance/
Coursework: Yes – 60% coursework  

Examination: Contemporary issues in sport (R184)40% of the qualification         

Topic 1: Issues which affect participation in sport
Topic 2: The role of sport in promoting values            
Topic 3: The implications of hosting a major sporting event for a city or country
Topic 4: The role National Governing Bodies (NGBs) play in the development of their sport    
Topic 5: The use of technology in sport
Coursework: 60% of the qualification 
R185: Performance and leadership in sports activities 30% of the qualification 
R186: Sport and the media 30% of the qualification