At
last 2007 has arrived, and we are on schedule to start the delivery
of the UKCC Equestrian coaching qualification.
Level
1 Vaulting is part of the generic qualification, together with the
British
Horse Society, the Association of British Riding Schools, The
Pony Club and
the Scottish Equestrian Association.. We shall offer
the UKCC specific vaulting qualifications at Level 2, 3 and 4.
The
difference between this qualification and any which have gone
before is that the emphasis is equally on the “HOW TO
COACH” skills
and the way to make coaching more rider/vaulter-centred,
as well as the
“WHAT
TO COACH”. We hope in this way to raise the general
standard of equestrian coaching in the
the majority of our coaches do not work in this way
at present, as we have already been following the UKCC principles, but it will
enable particularly our less experienced coaches to raise their game.
Where
the Levels are placed:
Level
1 is “Assistant to the Coach”. Holders of this are only able to work under
direct supervision to take part of a lesson. They are
not qualified or accredited
to do more than this, and will not be insured for
more.
Level
2 is the general practical coach who can work unsupervised. The technical
equestrian knowledge required is Novice competition level, and this coach
will be able to plan a short series of linked lessons.
Level
3 is the slightly more knowledgeable coach who would be able to run a Club and plan
a longer training strategy if required, eg an annual
plan. This coach has a
technical knowledge at around advanced compulsories
level. This coach could also “mentor” Level 2 coaches who needed support.
Level
4 is still in development, so watch this space!
UKCC
Questions and Answers
Below
are the answers to some of the questions we have been asked, which we hope will
dispel some myths!!
1.
The
UKCC Equestrian is a stand-alone nationally recognised
coaching qualification, approved by sportscoachUK.
2. No one will be forced to
attempt this qualification or to upgrade their presently-held qualification,
though we would encourage all coaches to consider doing so.
3. Any recognised
qualification, eg those of the BHS, ABRS, RDA, Vaulting achieved before January 2007 will NOT disappear.
For example, a Level 3 vaulting coach will still be a Level 3 vaulting coach,
but in order to hold the UKCC Level 3 will have to “top-up” with necessary
coaching information and practice, and will need to go through a Final
Assessment unless sufficient evidence can be produced to satisfy the
requirements.
4. A holder of a UKCC
qualification can use it across disciplines assuming they have the necessary
technical knowledge.
5. The BHS qualifications
will not disappear. The UKCC equestrian levels are being incorporated into them
where appropriate. UKCC Equestrian Generic Level 2 is part of the PTT, and
Level 3 is part of the BHSII. The syllabuses for the PTT and II have been
rewritten extensively to cover this.
6. Someone who for example
holds the UKCC Level 2, can take that into the BHS
exam system and “top up” to achieve the PTT.
7. There is a clear pathway
up the Levels, but it is NOT mandatory
to start at
the bottom.
8. We shall put on Coach
Training Courses for registered candidate coaches, but it is not mandatory to
attend one before coming to the Final Assessment. HOWEVER the content and
format is very different from what has been done before, (
not so different in the case of vaulting) so we do advise candidate
coaches to attend a course.
9. Holders of the UKCC
Equestrian qualification are expected to accept and conform to the British
Equestrian Federation Code of Conduct and Ethics.
10. UKCC Coach Training MUST
(under the terms of the agreement with scUK) be presented by an scUK CTS
qualified equestrian Coach Educator, and will be organised
centrally. We have potentially 2 in
11. Evidence for Accreditation
of Prior Learning (APL or Grandfather Rights) will be considered by the
Training Committee and the Coaching Development Officer, and by the BEF
Coaching APL sub-committee.
12. Both presently-held
qualifications and relevant experience which can be substantiated by evidence
and testimony will be taken into account when we advise a coach on which Level
to aim for and how to prepare.
13. The Level of coach will
not be hitched to the level of performer so coaches will be able to progress up
the ladder in qualifications by being the best coach within his remit eg working with beginners, children, disabled etc.
14. UKCC qualified coaches
will be expected to attend CPD (Continuing Personal Development) days
periodically for their qualification to remain current. This is what is required
at the moment for continuing membership of the BHS Register of Instructors.
This will become the same for future vaulting coaches.
15. The BHS Instructors’
Register will be open to UKCC qualified coaches without their having to join
the BHS.
16. Prerequisites prior to
Final Assessment will be:
Level
1 -Basic 1st Aid qualification ( Vaulting –a Child
Protection course and SCRO or CRB check)
Levels
2, 3 & 4 -CRB check; attendance on a child protection course; EITHER 4 day
1st Aid At Work or Equine 1st Aid Certificate OR other approved 1st Aid
Certificate dependant on whether the Membership of the Register includes
insurance or not.
Approximate
Costs - It is too early to give final costs especially as different costs apply in Scotland and England
Training
days - £30 to £40 each
Awarding
body
In
England the awarding body for the UKCC
Equestrian qualification is EQUESTRIAN QUALIFICATIONS LTD (EQL) a new arm of
the BHS
Every
coach who wants to qualify will be registered with them via BEV Ltd.
The
BEF is using the expertise and experience of the BHS in dealing with the
Qualification and Curriculum Authority (QCA) who also have to approve the
qualification, but EQL will deal with every discipline in the BEF equally, in
the interests of the BEF and coaching generally.
In
I
hope this may make the whole thing a little clearer to you. If you
have any more questions, please get in touch with us.
Jenny
Leggate - Coaching
Development Officer for Bev Ltd. Tel:01361 810 577
e-mail: jenny@equibuddy.org
or
Ann
Hunt - Coaching
Advisor Tel: 01764 682268
e-mail –
Ann@easterton.com