Unlock Sport’s Potential in Your School
Careers in Sport provides secondary schools with a comprehensive suite of resources and workshops designed to make PE and sport education more engaging, purposeful, and career-focused. From interactive assemblies and curriculum-linked units of work to GCSE PE revision materials and practical sport science tasks, our resources help schools deliver high-quality learning experiences that inspire students, develop essential life skills, and connect classroom theory with real-world applications.
Benefits for Schools
- Curriculum Enrichment: Ready-to-use, curriculum-aligned resources save planning time and enhance PE, PSHE, and whole-school wellbeing programmes.
- Boost Academic Performance: Activities link physical activity to improved focus, memory, and mental wellbeing, supporting attainment across subjects.
- Flexible Delivery: Use resources in lessons, assemblies, or enrichment days, with options for teacher-led or Careers in Sport-led workshops.
- Professional Expertise: Designed by Lee Sullivan, an experienced educator and author, ensuring quality, relevance, and practical application.
- Future-Focused Learning: Connects sport education to career pathways, helping students see the value of PE beyond the classroom.
What Pupils Will Gain
- Essential Life Skills: Communication, leadership, resilience, and problem-solving through sport-based activities.
- Confidence and Motivation: Assemblies and workshops inspire pupils to set goals, embrace challenges, and believe in their potential.
- Growth Mindset: Reflection tasks and team-based learning encourage perseverance and positivity.
- Exam Success: GCSE PE retrieval booklets and workshops make revision interactive and effective, improving knowledge retention.
- Real-World Connections: Practical sport science tasks and media workshops link theory to careers, sparking interest in future opportunities.
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Sports Leaders Pathway
A complete leadership curriculum for KS3–KS4, building confident, capable young leaders through sport
The Sports Leaders Pathway is a fully structured, three-stage leadership curriculum—Ignite, Empower, Inspire—designed to develop the behaviours, skills, and confidence young people need to lead in sport, school, and their wider community. Built around high-quality resources, progressive leadership theory, real-world careers insight, and meaningful project work, this programme provides schools with a ready-to-deliver leadership journey that aligns with national expectations, Ofsted requirements, and the Gatsby Benchmarks.
Across 18 carefully sequenced lessons (plus volunteering hours, project tasks, student workbooks and assessment materials), pupils learn to lead with confidence, communicate purposefully, organise effectively, collaborate with others, and make measurable impact.
The Sports Leaders Pathway does not replace PE, but acts as a high-value enrichment programme that enhances the KS3/KS4 PE curriculum. Schools can integrate it within PE, personal development, enrichment time or alternative provision as a powerful way to build character, citizenship, and career readiness through sport.
Why schools choose the Sports Leaders Pathway
Each unit contains 6 detailed lessons, with retrieval tasks, leadership theory, GCSE/A Level PE links, careers insights, mini tasks and a core project that builds across the unit.
Aligned to the Gatsby Benchmarks
The pathway meets key careers guidance expectations through:
- A stable, sequenced careers programme (Benchmark 1).
- Real sport-industry roles in every lesson (Benchmark 2).
- Individual reflection, skills audits, and personalised leadership roles (Benchmark 3).
- Clear links between PE theory and real sport careers (Benchmark 4).
- Authentic examples from sport leaders and professional organisations (Benchmark 5).
- Structured volunteering (5, 10, 15 hours) mirroring workplace tasks (Benchmark 6).
- Explicit FE/HE progression routes throughout (Benchmark 7).
- Continuous teacher/student guidance through reflection and feedback (Benchmark 8).
Across all three stages, pupils develop:
- Confidence and communication
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Organisation and planning skills
- Resilience, adaptability and problem solving
- Creativity and initiative
- Awareness of career pathways within sport
- A portfolio of real leadership experience and impact
They leave the programme not only with knowledge—but with evidence of leadership, service, and personal growth.
The programme contributes powerfully to:
- Quality of Education (ambitious intent, structured implementation, meaningful impact).
- Personal Development (character education, citizenship, careers education, volunteering, leadership behaviours).
- Behaviour & Attitudes (motivation, responsibility, teamwork, respect)
- Leadership & Management (enriching curriculum breadth, supporting whole-school priorities).
Enhance PE, Sport & Wellbeing
Rather than replacing PE, the pathway complements it by:
- Embedding GCSE/A Level concepts (motivation, guidance & feedback, arousal, socialisation, duty of care, evaluation frameworks).
- Developing employability through movement, teamwork and communication.
- Expanding pupils’ understanding of roles beyond playing sport—coaching, media, analysis, sports development, psychology.
- Strengthening whole-school ethos through leadership, responsibility, and active citizenship.
- A complete, sequenced KS3–KS4 leadership curriculum.
- Strong evidence for Ofsted and Gatsby Benchmarks.
- High-quality resources: PowerPoints, Teacher Notes, Workbooks, Reflection Tools.
- Real-world projects that increase participation and strengthen school sport.
- A sustainable leadership pathway that grows each year cohort by cohort.
Ignite Leadership (KS3/4 – Foundation)
The Ignite Leadership Pathway is the perfect starting point for young people beginning their leadership journey in sport. Designed for KS3/4 students, this foundation programme develops the essential skills needed to lead with confidence, including communication, organisation, responsibility, empathy and teamwork. Through a blend of classroom learning and practical application, students explore what effective leadership looks like and how these skills transfer beyond sport into education, employment and everyday life.
Learners are introduced to leadership theory, real-world sports careers and key employability skills before planning and delivering their own coaching session. Along the way, they develop confidence in speaking, decision-making and supporting others in inclusive environments. The programme also encourages students to engage in volunteering opportunities, helping them make a positive contribution to their school community.
By the end of the pathway, students will have gained practical leadership experience, valuable personal development skills and a strong foundation for progressing into more advanced leadership opportunities.
Empower Leadership (KS4 – Intermediate)
The Empower Leadership Pathway builds on foundational leadership skills and challenges students to take greater ownership of projects, events and team experiences. Designed for KS4 students, this intermediate programme focuses on developing adaptability, motivation, teamwork, resilience and professional conduct through authentic leadership experiences.
Students explore how successful leaders inspire others, manage challenges and work collaboratively to achieve shared goals. Through a combination of leadership theory and practical application, they learn how to plan, organise and deliver meaningful sporting events while considering contingency planning, team dynamics and participant engagement. Real-world career connections help students understand how leadership skills are valued across the sport and physical activity sector.
The pathway culminates in the planning and delivery of a live sporting event, giving students the opportunity to demonstrate initiative, teamwork and resilience. Supported by volunteering experiences, Empower prepares students to become confident, capable leaders who can make a positive impact within their school and wider community.
Inspire Leadership (KS4/5 – Advanced)
The Inspire Leadership Pathway is the pinnacle of the Sports Leaders programme, providing Key Stage 4/5 students with the opportunity to become strategic leaders who create meaningful and lasting change. This advanced pathway develops high-level leadership skills including vision, initiative, creativity, problem solving, analytical thinking and legacy planning.
Students learn how to identify real challenges within their school or community and use leadership frameworks to design, implement and evaluate impactful projects. Whether promoting inclusion, increasing participation in physical activity or launching a community campaign, learners are encouraged to think strategically, influence others and measure the outcomes of their work. Career-focused learning and advanced leadership concepts provide valuable preparation for further education, employment and future leadership roles.
Through project delivery, volunteering and impact evaluation, students leave the programme with a portfolio of leadership experience, a deeper understanding of social responsibility and the confidence to lead positive change both within sport and beyond.
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Leadership in Sport Workshop (KS3)
The Leadership in Sport Workshop introduces students to the skills and qualities needed to become effective leaders in sport and beyond. Through a series of practical and interactive activities, students explore key leadership behaviours including communication, organisation, decision-making, responsibility and confidence. Learners are challenged to lead small tasks, work collaboratively and reflect on how leadership skills can support success in school, sport and future careers. The workshop is designed to inspire young people to take greater ownership of their learning and make a positive contribution to their teams, classes and wider school community.
Media in Sport Workshop (KS3)
The Media in Sport Workshop helps students explore the exciting relationship between sport, media and modern technology. Through engaging discussions and real-world examples, students investigate how television, social media, journalism and digital platforms influence athletes, sporting events and fans. Learners consider both the positive and negative impacts of media in sport while developing critical thinking, communication and digital literacy skills. The workshop encourages students to become informed consumers and creators of sports media in an increasingly connected world.
Teamwork in Sport Workshop (KS3)
The Teamwork in Sport Workshop demonstrates the importance of effective teamwork in achieving success both on and off the field. Through practical challenges and problem-solving activities, students develop skills such as communication, cooperation, trust, leadership and resilience. Learners explore what makes successful teams function effectively and how individuals can contribute positively to group performance. Suitable for all abilities, this engaging workshop helps students build confidence, strengthen relationships and understand how teamwork is an essential life skill that supports achievement in education, sport and future employment.
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Inspiring Assemblies
Leadership in Sport – Building Skills for School, Life and Career (18 slides)
This inspiring assembly explores how the lessons learned through sport can help young people succeed far beyond the playing field. Students will discover how leadership skills such as communication, teamwork, resilience, organisation and decision-making are developed through sport and why these qualities are highly valued by schools, universities and employers. Through engaging examples and real-world career pathways, the assembly demonstrates how anyone can become a leader and make a positive impact within their school and community. Inspired by the Sports Leaders Pathway, it encourages students to recognise their potential and take the first step on their leadership journey.
Physical Activity and Attainment (30 slides)
This engaging assembly highlights the powerful connection between physical activity, wellbeing and academic success. Students will explore how regular movement can improve concentration, memory, motivation, resilience and overall performance in school. Combining current research with practical strategies, the session challenges common misconceptions about exercise and learning, showing that being active is not a distraction from academic achievement but a key contributor to it. Students will leave inspired to incorporate more physical activity into their daily lives and unlock the benefits for both their health and educational outcomes.
GCSE PE Workshop
Technology and Media PP Workshop (30 slides)
Designed specifically for GCSE PE students, the Technology and Media Workshop helps learners develop a deeper understanding of one of the most important areas of the specification through engaging, exam-focused activities. Students explore how technology is used to improve performance, officiating and participation in sport, alongside the impact of media on sport, performers and spectators.
The workshop combines interactive learning, real-life sporting examples and structured exam practice to build knowledge, confidence and examination technique. Students are supported in applying theory to GCSE-style questions, developing extended writing skills and understanding how to maximise marks in assessment. Included is a comprehensive Student Workbook featuring guided notes, knowledge checks, retrieval tasks and exam questions with opportunities for self-reflection and progress tracking.
Ideal for revision days, intervention programmes or examination preparation, this workshop provides students with the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to succeed in GCSE PE while bringing the topics of technology and media to life.
Sport Education Unit of Work (Athletics)
Bring athletics to life with this engaging 9-week Sport Education Athletics Scheme of Work for KS3 and KS4 students. Designed around a Whole-Part-Whole learning model, the resource combines athletics performance with the development of essential employability skills, helping students succeed both in sport and beyond. Based on content from
Across sprinting, distance running, jumping and throwing events, students work in teams, take on leadership roles, and engage in peer coaching to improve performance. Each lesson focuses on a key employability skill such as teamwork, communication, leadership, planning, creativity and positivity, creating meaningful links between physical education and real-world skills.
The scheme includes structured lesson formats, rotating student roles, reflection activities, progress-based scoring and opportunities for differentiation, making it accessible and inclusive for all learners. With team competition, student ownership and built-in assessment opportunities, this resource provides a motivating and memorable approach to teaching athletics.
24 Career Posters
Open students’ eyes to the wide range of careers available within the sport and physical activity sector with our Career Profile Posters. Covering pathways across coaching, sport science, health, media, business, marketing, events and community development, each poster provides an engaging snapshot of a real career in sport. Students can explore key job responsibilities, qualifications, skills, salary information, career progression routes and advice from industry professionals, helping them make informed decisions about their future. Designed to support careers education, Gatsby Benchmarks and curriculum learning, these posters are ideal for classrooms, sports halls, careers displays and enrichment programmes. They provide an accessible and inspiring way to showcase the diversity of opportunities available in one of the world’s most exciting industries.
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See the full secondary library
Browse every secondary resource, with previews of what is inside each one.