Sophie Yates, one of North Hertfordshire College’s Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport and Exercise Science students, has completed a placement as an Assistant Sports Coach with Premier Education! The opportunity is the result of Premier Education Group’s engagement with the College’s Give a Future campaign, which sees employers provide fantastic opportunities to learners to help them prepare for their next steps.
As an Assistant Sports Coach, Sophie has supported and delivered sports and PE lessons to students in primary school settings in the local area. We’re pleased to say that, as a result of this hands-on practical experience, Sophie’s colleagues and tutors have reported that Sophie has made huge progress within her confidence as a coach and her knowledge of a variety of sports.
We spoke to Alexandra Wever, Recruitment Coordinator at Premier Education, to find out more about Sophie’s placement and Premier Education’s Give a Future experience:
“We were contacted at Premier Education by Jacqueline Smith [Industry Placement Coordinator at NHC] with the idea of providing the College’s Sports student with an opportunity of work placements. Sophie came forward as a keen coach who wanted more than a simple work placement. Following a workshop and a seminar at the College, delivered by our company director, and a brief interview with Sophie, we were pleased to offer her a placement. She has since been working with us to fulfil a huge 315 hours of experience.
“The placement has provided Sophie with knowledge and experience in teaching a wide range of sports from netball, tennis, and rounders, through to dance and gymnastics. She has supported many of our coaches throughout her time with us, including the staff at Stone Hill Primary School. Sophie has connected excellently with the children and staff within the schools, as well as our Premier staff who Sophie supports. Sophie has developed a range of effective communication techniques, allowing her to reach all learner types, and has used this to even take lead on the whole session independently, with the support of our head coaches.
“This placement would not have been possible if we had not received communication from the College surrounding this opportunity. This has opened many doors for future students looking to progress into a coaching or a PE Teaching career, as well as for future students from NHC to experience real-life work placements in an area they’re passionate about.”
Premier Education aren’t the only ones who have noticed the benefits of the placement – Sophie’s also noticed her own growth and the deeper knowledge she’s developed through the opportunity. She told us: “Premier Education Group exceeds my expectations in the quality of support it has given me throughout my industry placement as an Assistant Sports Coach. Both Jessica and Chloe, who are expert coaches, have been great in showing me what work is involved in setting up and planning sessions. I am now confident in delivering coaching sessions under their professional guidance. This placement has made me feel part of the Premier team. My communication skills with children and staff have strongly developed along with my confidence. Children have really begun to warm to me. I am really enjoying my placement experience and I’m learning a lot.”
Thank you to Premier Education Group for helping to Give a Future to our students!
To find out more about how your business can get involved, please visit our Give a Future webpage.