SBT2269 Careermag for Parents Issue 5 v2 FINAL | Page 14

SECTOR SPOTLIGHT - SPORT
Where a BTEC in Sport can take you...
Meet former BTEC Sport student Ben Crickmay. He told us about his experience
studying a BTEC and how he then went on to teaching BTEC Sport.
What was it like studying a BTEC in sport?
A BTEC in sport was the perfect opportunity for
me to be able to balance elite sport with gaining a
recognised qualification. It allowed me to focus on my
academic study and produce work to a high standard,
whilst also being able to concentrate on my training.
My BTEC helped me to develop independently as a
learner because a lot of it was done through online
learning and independent research. When I went on
to study at the University of Bath, I felt as if I already
had a good foundation of knowledge across the
modules being taught because I had covered much
of the foundational content in my BTEC. This meant
that I could then use a lot of my time researching and
focusing on more advanced concepts.
Overall, I had a really positive experience with my
BTEC, it was the perfect stepping stone into my next
phase at university. It helped prepare and develop me
as an individual and academically as it translated really
well into my studies. I received great feedback from
teachers and achieved good results.
Did you have any misconceptions about a BTEC
in sport?
My first perception of a BTEC in sport was that it was
for more practically inclined individuals, those who
aren’t as academic but excel at sport-related activities.
This was one of the reasons I chose BTEC sport.
However, as I went on to study the subject, I quickly
realised that I was wrong. I was learning towards
roles in sport that require a higher level of academic
knowledge, such as sport scientists.
What opportunities did you think you could get
from completing your BTEC?
When I was younger my idea of what career path you
could follow having studied a BTEC was very narrow.
I believed that there were only 3 clear routes I could
go down: a professional athlete, a PE teacher or a
physiotherapist. However, after studying sport at college
and then at university it showed me that there are more
opportunities than what meets the eye. You can study
lots of different degrees that go into more depth in areas
such as sport analysis, psychology and nutrition. There
are a lot of valued career paths in sport that could go on
to making a real difference in the industry.
How did you get into teaching BTEC?
After I completed my GCSEs, I was offered a football
scholarship where I competed and trained as a
professional athlete for 2 years. Part of this programme
was to complete an extended diploma in BTEC sport
where I went on to achieve a Distinction*. I then went
on to study BSc in Sport Performance at University
of Bath. I started to further develop my knowledge
in sport and was awarded first-class honors for my
dissertation. After completing university, feeling very
Ben Crickmay – Former BTEC student and Teacher
of PE and Games at Brentwood Independent School
proud of what I had achieved, I went out looking for
some work experience in PE teaching. This led me to
complete my PGCE at my local school and finally my
NQT at Brentwood School where I now teach.
As a BTEC teacher yourself, what do you think are
the benefits of BTEC?
I think a key benefit of a BTEC, and something we do
here at Brentwood on our programme, is to make sure
all our pupils are positively reinforced around the skills
they have and the interests in the different areas of the
course they are learning, and to express their passion
so that they can see where that can take them. As
a teacher especially we aim to make sure we are
preparing our learners to be industry ready.
What advice would you give to students considering
their options and parents supporting them?
The key piece of advice I would give anyone is to
start early. Start to identify the subjects that they
are enjoying and doing well in and to always be
ambitious and work hard. Reach out and get those
opportunities that others aren’t, for example gaining
work experience.
My final piece of advice is to just make people aware
that BTECs are widely recognised and that universities
accept and recognise that BTECs are an equivalent
qualification (also attracting UCAS points). There is a
very big misconception around BTECs in that it is a
lesser qualification when in my experience I have found
it to be a very well-rounded programme that promotes
growth academically and, in my case, a sporting growth
as well. This is something I will continue to promote
during my time at Brentwood School.
14 | Issue 5 www.careermap.co.uk