COASTAL COURSES - based at Chichester Harbour

                                          keelboat, dinghy sailing and powerboat training.

INLAND COURSES based at Ardingly Reservoir

                                     dinghy sailing, windsurfing and canoeing.

NVQ 2008

Venue: Ardingly Activity Centre and Plumpton College

This is a practical course for students who enjoy sport and wish to gain experience in outdoor activities. All specialist equipment is provided and there are no exams. Students need to show competence in 6 units, this is done by collecting and recording evidence this is placed in a portfolio.

Age 16 by 1^st September in the year of entry

This is a part time course.

NVQ Level 2

BTEC 1^st Diploma

Other sport related course or employment in the leisure industry

The course runs for three days a week at Ardingly Activity Centre. The centre is a commercial activity centre based at Ardingly Reservoir a 200 acre site just north of Haywards Heath. The centre has been running for over 20 years and has more than 10 years experience teaching NVQ levels 1,2,3. Ardingly Activity Centre has a license from the Adventurous Activities Licensing Authority and is a recognised teaching establishment with the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) and the British Canoe Union (BCU).

Chris Kinsman is the Principal and will be the assessor for the NVQ qualification. You will be given tuition by other instructors from the centre to help develop your personal skills and later you will run sessions with customers.

You will mainly be involved with dinghy sailing, kayaking and canoeing although there may be an opportunity to assist with windsurfing sessions. You will also experience teambuilding sessions and improvised raft building. You will also be part of a busy commercial water sports centre.

There may be a need to go to other locations such as Chichester for Powerboat Training or to experience tidal sailing.

The course operates throughout the year; the usual "holiday periods" can be when some of the best evidence and learning can be achieved. Students will need to be flexible about their holidays and may be needed for some weekends if they are to gain the maximum experience from the course.

You will be given the chance to gain a range of National Governing Body Awards (NGB) these will be RYA and BCU qualifications. Some of these qualifications will require an additional fee for details contact the centre.

Successful completion of this course may provide students with career opportunities for employment in outdoor centres or progression to an NVQ 3 or BTEC National Diploma. Ardingly Activity Centre is planning to re start the NVQ 3 in September 2009.

For an example of what can be achieved a student with no previous experience gained the following qualifications on the NVQ 2 from September 06 to July 07.The Centre now employs this student as a Water sports instructor.

NVQ Level 2 Activity Leadership

BCU 3 Star Kayak

BCU Canoe Safety Test

BCU Level 2 Coach Kayak Training

BCU Aquatic First Aid Level 1

RYA Powerboat level 2

RYA Dinghy Instructor

Last modified: 01/20/08 AAC Feedback Page