ZigZag’s ActivKids has launched a Sports Leadership training course, which leads to a nationally recognised qualification in sport and physical activity leadership skills.

The 30-hour Award in Sports Leadership course, which will take place in schools and leisure centres across the UK, results in a Sports Leaders UK Level 1 qualification, which is also worth 6.3 points for a school’s attainment table.

The fun, practical syllabus for over 14 year olds, fosters generic skills and can be applied to a variety of sporting activities, as well as contributing to the candidate’s personal and social education.

Candidates learn through doing, rather than through written work, and their ability as a competent leader is assessed by observation rather than written tests.

James Porter, founder of ActivKids said: "The award is a fantastic way of delivering elements of the Key Stage 4 PE curriculum.

"Ideal candidates are students from 14 years old, as well as anyone working with children, such as fitness instructors, sports coaches and holiday supervisors."

The generic aspects of leadership taught by the award also complement many of the Government’s objectives of the Citizenship N.C. requirements, including developing skills for enquiry and communication and for participation and responsible action.

PSHE elements are also included, such as developing confidence and responsibility, developing a healthier, safer lifestyle and developing good relationships and respecting the differences between people.

Fergus Ahern, Managing Director of ZigZag said: "Due to the extreme popularity of ZigZag’s dance mats, we have developed one element of the training to look at designing programmes for dance mats in schools.

"This can include informal play for pre-school classes, lunch times and after school clubs to maximise use of the mats."