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GCSE-Equivalent Pathway for Surfing Students

NCFE Level 2 Diploma in Sport (Outdoors – Surfing) at Kingsley School

Kingsley School is delighted to introduce an exciting new GCSE-equivalent course for students who are motivated by sport, the outdoors and hands-on learning: the NCFE Level 2 Diploma in Sport (Outdoors – Surfing).

Delivered through Kingsley’s unique Coastal Adventures and Surf Academy, this qualification offers an academically rigorous yet highly practical pathway. It is designed for students who enjoy learning by doing, who respond well to real-world contexts, and who want to develop leadership, confidence and transferable life skills alongside a recognised qualification.

Importantly, success is not based on performance surfing. While surfing and coastal activities provide the learning context, success is based on engagement, teamwork, planning, leadership and reflection, not on being a pro surfer.

Course Overview

The NCFE Level 2 Diploma in Sport (Outdoors – Surfing) develops students’ understanding of sport and outdoor activity through authentic, applied learning. Teaching and assessment are contextualised through surfing, skateboarding and coastal-based activities, allowing learners to apply core sporting principles in meaningful environments.

The course balances theory and practice, focusing on:

Participation and performance review
Outdoor leadership and session delivery
Health, safety and risk management
Planning, communication and teamwork
Reflection and evaluation

The qualification is 100% coursework-based, with no final exam. Students build a portfolio of written work, practical evidence and reflective evaluation across the two-year programme.

Course Structure: Four Compulsory Units

Unit 1: Participating in Sport

Students plan, organise and take part in sporting activities, developing an understanding of rules, fair play, teamwork and performance analysis.

Unit 2: Outdoor and Adventurous Activities

Learners explore how outdoor activities are organised, including health and safety, risk assessment, environmental responsibility and the development of practical outdoor skills.

Unit 3: Leading an Outdoor Activity Session

This unit focuses on leadership skills. Students learn how to support and review activity sessions, covering communication, supervision, emergency procedures and reflective practice.

Unit 4: Plan, Deliver and Evaluate an Activity Session

Students design detailed session plans, deliver activities suited to different participants, and evaluate outcomes using feedback to improve future practice.

Additional Industry-Recognised Opportunities

Alongside the core diploma, students may have the opportunity to work towards additional qualifications, subject to suitability and readiness. These optional awards aim to enhance employability and real-world experience and may include:

RLSS Beach Lifeguard
Surfing England Level 1 Instructor
Skateboarding GB Level 1

Where possible, Kingsley intends to deliver these qualifications in-house, supported by strong links with local surf schools and outdoor providers. For some students, this can lead directly to paid work and valuable industry experience alongside their studies.

Who Is This Course For?

This course is ideal for students who:

Prefer practical, applied learning
Enjoy sport and the outdoors
Are motivated by teamwork, leadership and responsibility
May not thrive in exam-heavy courses
Are interested in future pathways within sport, outdoor education or coastal industries

It can also be taken alongside Sport Science, as the subjects sit in different option blocks.

For students focused on elite surfing performance, this is complemented separately by Kingsley’s Surf Academy, ensuring clear distinction between academic study and high-performance sport pathways.

Progression and Future Pathways

The NCFE Level 2 Diploma in Sport (Outdoors – Surfing) is a GCSE-equivalent qualification, recognised for progression into further education, sixth-form study and vocational pathways. It supports students in developing confidence, independence and employability skills that are valuable across a wide range of careers.

Learning That Makes Sense in the Real World

This new course reflects Kingsley School’s commitment to offering diverse, meaningful pathways that recognise different strengths and learning styles. By combining academic rigour with coastal-based, experiential learning, the NCFE Level 2 Diploma in Sport (Outdoors – Surfing) gives students the opportunity to thrive — both in and beyond the classroom.

For families considering GCSE options, this course offers a compelling blend of qualification, confidence-building and real-world relevance, all grounded in Kingsley’s exceptional coastal environment.