Level 2 Community Activator (Working in a School Setting)

We have developed a blended teaching and learning model which works for busy school professionals.

Scheduled release time:

• Three hours every week for live online learning with an experienced teacher.
• Three full day, face-to-face practical central training events a year. Please note that the face-to-face events are located in Stevenage, Hertfordshire or, for those who are further than 1 hour travel time, we offer a morning virtual session.

Flexible release time:

• Learners will have access to our self-paced online learning platform full of resources, activities, research and ideas.
• They will also complete practical projects that can be carried out in a classroom environment and will be of direct benefit to your pupils and your school.
• They will also need to have release time for regular progress reviews with their ESF tutor and school mentor to set new targets and celebrate success. These are short sessions that will take place every 12 weeks (as a minimum).
• Our SEND Masterclasses are 2-3 hour live online sessions held every six weeks during term time. Attendance is optional and recordings are also available.

A training calendar at the start of the programme will be provided, showing all training dates.

If you pay the Growth and Skills Levy, determine who controls the funds, how much you can access, and the steps to get it. Speak to your bursar, business manager, or finance team.

• Local Authority schools can access funding from their council’s shared levy pot, even if their payroll is below the threshold, by contacting the Local Authority’s Apprenticeship Team.
• Multi-academy Trusts with a wage bill over £3m should contact their central finance or HR team.
• Voluntary Controlled schools should approach their Local Authority.
• Voluntary-aided and Foundation schools (non-levy paying) can access 95% government funding, with further support potentially available from the Local Authority or via levy transfer.

We also offer SEND masterclasses virtually, release time for these sessions is optional and you can choose which sessions may be appropriate for your learner.

A training calendar at the start of the programme will be provided, showing all training dates.

If you don’t pay the Growth and Skills levy then the Government will fund 95% of the apprenticeship and you will need to commit to paying 5% of the fee. ESF Apprenticeships should be able to support your organisation to reclaim this 5% via a process known as Levy Transfer.

Larger organisations can support other organisations, by making up to 50% of their annual levy funds available to eligible employers who need financial assistance with apprenticeships.

We can provide more information if you are interested in pursuing this route.

We recommend choosing a member of staff who can provide structured guidance, help set goals, and has been through similar roles and can relate to the challenges and opportunities the apprentice might encounter. They will have a deep understanding of school sport programmes and ambassador responsibilities.

Off-the-Job-Training (OTJT) is an essential part of an apprentice’s development. It is dedicated time, during normal working hours, in which apprentices can focus on learning and applying new skills.

This protected time is required for apprentices to engage fully with their learning and development activities. All of the required learning, live workshops and projects completed during the programme count towards off-the-job time.

Our apprenticeship tutors will sign-post opportunities which count as Off-the-Job-Training and during the enrolment meeting we can discuss how this can work alongside busy job roles.

You’ll need to provide a formal employment contract covering the duration of the apprenticeship.

Any apprentice must be paid at least the minimum apprenticeship wage in their first year of learning.

Apprentices aged 19+ must be paid at least the minimum wage for their age group in their second year of learning.

You must assign a school mentor who can support the learner in the role and attend termly progress reviews with the tutor and the learner, as well as a 1 hour Gateway meeting at the end of the programme to progress the learner to the end-point assessment.

For apprentices aged 16-18, without the necessary GCSEs, additional release time will be needed for Functional Skills qualifications in English, and maths. Apprentices will be fully supported by our experienced tutors.

You may choose to stay within a community setting and work your way up to becoming a more senior coach, or work in the leisure industry, with career options in leisure management or sports development. Alternatively, if you prefer working with younger people, you could become a teaching assistant who specialises in PE. You could go on to study the following qualifications:

Specialised Coaching Qualifications: You can pursue specific coaching qualifications within your chosen sport to become a high-level coach.

Level 3 Teaching Assistant with a PE and Wellbeing Focus: If you’re interested in working within a school setting, this can be a natural progression.

Level 4 Sports Coach Apprenticeship: This would allow you to develop more advanced coaching skills and potentially specialise in a particular sport or type of coaching (e.g., high-performance, community, or school pathways).