Sport BTEC Certificate

Former school: Park Community

“I have been doing gymnastics since I was five years old, and train 29 hours a week at Falcons in Barnstaple.

When I was nine I joined the GB squad and now I’m part of the junior team and regularly compete both in the UK and abroad.

I’m very fortunate that my lecturers understand my commitments and are flexible when it comes to fitting my training in around studying.

My course – Sport BTEC Certificate – has given me a better understanding of the human body, as well as nutrition, which I can apply to my gymnastics training. Having knowledge of different muscle groups etc. is particularly useful when talking to physiotherapists.

The long-term goal is to become a full-time athlete and eventually compete in the Olympics.”

Adam has recently won Gold at the 2018 Gymnastics British Championships. Watch a video of him competing here:

Then: Biology and Art A-levels and Sport BTEC, and Volleyball Academy (2015-2017)
Campus: North Devon
Now: First UK beach volleyball player to get an American scholarship (GCU, Arizona)
Former school: Braunton Community College

“My lecturers were very understanding once it was explained to them what my goal was. They allowed me to focus on my sport and organise myself and my studies, with their aid, so that I could succeed at both.

"My highlights at Petroc were probably my AS and my A-level result days as I was pleasantly surprised with the result! My highlights since I have college are taking 17th at under 20s Europeans (the best England has done in this age group), and being accepted to GCU as it has been a dream of mine to go to an American college and train and study full-time for my sport. 

“The advice I'd give to someone trying to get into an American college with a scholarship is to contact as many colleges as you can with good footage of doing your sport and don't be afraid to keep contacting them. A lot of colleges are looking for good grades as well as the skills so try to be super organised so that you can succeed at both – be a professional in everything you do. 

“The long term plan is to play in the Commonwealth Games and then the Olympics. This has been a dream of mine and going to an American college brings me one step closer.”

Sapphire Goddard

Extended Diploma in Sport Level 3 (Development, Coaching and Fitness)

North Devon Campus

“When I first started at Petroc I was on an A Level programme. However, I soon found that this way of learning and the strong focus on exams wasn’t for me. I’m much more suited to learning in a practical way and completing coursework.

I’ve always been interested in sport and competed at a regional level for swimming when I was younger. Even before switching to the BTEC, I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in this industry after college, and set my sights on Bath University.

Because I did well in my GCSEs there was an assumption that I’d do A Levels, and other options weren’t really presented to me. I didn’t think that I’d be able to go to university without doing A Levels, which I now obviously know isn’t true. In fact, I think my options have been increased since switching to the BTEC as, if I’d carried on with A Levels, I don’t think I’d be as focussed as I am now. I’m not saying A Levels are worse than BTECs, it’s just a different way of learning and I’m more suited to the latter.

I enjoy many aspects of my course, but I found the Nutrition and Anatomy and Physiology modules particularly interesting. I’ve always loved healthy foods and healthy living, so I have been able to apply what I’ve learnt to my own lifestyle.

The facilities at Petroc are excellent, and I am a regular user of the gym. Since I’ve been going I’ve seen a steady increase in the number of users, especially females, which is great. The prices are really reasonable and the opening times are good, so hopefully more and more people will be encouraged to use it.

Through my course I’ve had several opportunities to take part in extra-curricular activities. Last year I went to Romania with the Tag Rugby Trust, to teach the sport in remote parts of the country. It taught me many new skills in terms of teaching; the children couldn’t speak English so we had to adapt our teaching style accordingly and really focus on communication skills to overcome the language barrier. It was a fantastic experience and I’m going again this year.

I’ve recently secured a conditional offer from Bath University to study Sport and Social Sciences. Through a gifted and talented programme I took part in at school, I’ve had the opportunity to try several winter sports and, at Bath, I’ll be able to pursue this further, which I’m really excited about.

In the future I’d like to get into sport marketing and promotion, for someone like Octagon [sports marketing company] or Nike. In the third year of my university course I’ll get to go on a work placement. I know that Octagon is one of the options and I really hope I get to go there as, if I make a good impression, it might lead to further work experience or even employment in the future.

My advice to anyone wanting to follow a similar path to me would be; do your research. I fell into A Levels, even though they weren’t right for me, when a BTEC was a better option to get me on the university course that I wanted. There are loads of options out there so make sure you pick what’s right for you and don’t be scared to make a change if you feel it’s the right thing to do.”

Luke Doyle started at Petroc in 2009, on a Level 1 BTEC Sport course and, after passing with Distinction, progressed onto the two-year BTEC Level 2 Sport (Performance and Excellence) course.

In his second year he decided that he would like to study for an evening course to gain a Fitness Gym Instructor qualification, as this would be essential if he was to pursue a career in fitness.

After passing his BTEC with a Merit, Merit, Distinction profile, he decided that rather than go to university he would study to become a personal trainer and sport therapist. So, his fourth year at Petroc was spent studying Level 3 Sports Massage, Personal Training, Sports Conditioning, Outdoor Fitness and Business and Marketing.

During this time he secured a part time job in his local town's gym, G&S Fitness.

After completing his Personal Training course and recognising the importance of continuing professional development, Luke, then aged 20, took on two more qualifications; a Level 2 Strength and Conditioning course and a Level 3 Diploma in Mat Pilates, which he will achieve by June 2014.

Luke has also set up his own business running a fitness boot camp in the South Molton area.

Luke said: “Within the fitness industry there are a whole host of qualifications that you can study, depending where your interests lie. It’s great to be able to do these at Petroc, only a few miles from home, as this means I can still work whilst continuing to study."