Meet Isaac
Level 4 Sports Coach 

Isaac has been on an apprenticeship pathway since leaving sixth form after he finished his BTEC in sport. Currently working at St Nicholas C of E Primary School, Isaac has been on his apprenticeship journey with the same one-form entry school, since he started there as a Level 2 Community Activator.  He is now in his fourth year at the school starting his Level 4 Sports Coach apprenticeship.

By his own admission, Isaac disliked being at school having struggled to focus and being disruptive.  Isaac was later to discover he was undiagnosed for Dyslexia while he was at Primary school. Isaac has been able to turn his relationship with education into a positive one and, at the end of his apprenticeship Isaac hopes to become a dedicated PE/Sports Teacher.

My experience as a Sports Coach apprentice has been an opportunity that has provided me with endless possibilities. I felt nervous at first, but I have made good friends who I regularly meet up with. My confidence has grown from working as part of a team, and I have learned how to adapt my lessons according to the different abilities in my classes. Not only am I developing the skills and knowledge to become a teacher, I’m able to earn money at the same time and I’ve even managed to save enough money to pay for driving lessons and to buy a car!

My leadership skills and self-confidence is one of my biggest learning achievements and it’s enabled me to take the initiative at my school to lead after-school clubs each week. I’ve been able to increase confidence in younger children, running a games club for the early years and KS1.

I initially struggled with the written elements of my coursework having been diagnosed with Dyslexia, but with the support of my ESF tutor, I was encouraged use the dictate function in Word, which really helped me.

I enjoy teaching football the most and following the success of England’s Lionesses, I actively encourage girls to get involved in sports. The school girls’ football team has grown over two years, from a non-existent team to a girl’s A and B team.

Once I’ve completed my apprenticeship, I hope to become a dedicated PE/Sports Teacher and would like to continue working at the same school where my apprenticeship journey began. Long-term, my ambition is to become Head of PE and be able to contribute towards the promotion of sports apprenticeships.

To find out more about this apprenticeship, email: vacancies@esfapprenticeships.co.uk