Outdoor Education, PE and School Sport Service

provided by the Children's Services Department

Commercial Providers of Physical Education and Sport Coaching

A database of commercial providers of physical education and sport coaching has been created based on information provided by organisations working in schools. The providers on the database meet the safety management and safeguarding requirements of Hampshire County Council.  It should be noted that it is for the establishment employing these coaches to determine whether or not they meet individual requirements.

Database of Commercial Providers of Physical Education and Sport Coaching

Insurance and indemnification

When engaging or forming any contract with commercial providers or coaches, establishments need to be aware of and adhere to the safety advice and guidance as set out in Hampshire’s Safety in Physical Education and Sport document (see below).  Particular regard should be made to the qualifications required for non PE specialists and coaches.

Due to current changes taking place nationally and led by Sports Coach UK, all national governing bodies of sport are being required to standardise their coaching qualifications.  These changes will take place at different times over the next three or four years and as a result, in some cases, local agreement may need to take place with Hampshire County Council (as it indemnifies such activities) regarding the appropriate qualification of individual coaches.  In such cases you should, in the first instance, contact:

Ian Beacham, Education Officer (Sport), Children’s Services Department, The Castle, Winchester, SO23 8UG , telephone 01962 846367, email: ian.beacham@hants.gov.uk

  • Level 1 coaching qualification:

     Coaches with level 1 should, at all times, work under the direct supervision of a qualified teacher, or a level 2 coach.

  • Level 2 coaching qualification:

     Coaches with level 2 qualification can, once schools have satisfied themselves of the appropriate nature of the coaching, work independently with groups of young people.

  • Level 2 and above:

     Coaches may, with the right experience, support the development of schemes of work and programmes of study.

Whatever level of qualification, all coaches must still be subject to CRB checks and all establishments, clubs and centres are advised to follow the coach approval process set out in Appendix A –  Safety in Physical Education and Sport.

It is the responsibility of the headteacher and governors to ensure the safety and welfare of children and young people through effective monitoring of the quality of learning.  This is regardless of the level of paper qualification a coach may bring to the establishment, club or centre (please see Appendix A – Safety in Physical Education and Sport.

Safety in Physical Education and Sport

Further details are available from the Education Officer (Sport) – details as above.

NOTE TO SCHOOLS: If you are using a company that is not listed on the database, they will need to complete both sections of the questionnaire. If they meet minimum requirements, that company will then be included on the database. Please download the questionnaire here:

Questionnaire_Commercial_Providers_-_Section_A

Questionnaire_Commercial_Providers_-_Section_B