New diploma embraces ‘active’ focus

Bernadette Muller, SkillsActive - 16/04/2008

Following a series of diploma consultations with universities, colleges and employers, consistent concerns over the diploma title were identified. Those concerns reflected whether the title accurately represented the content of the diploma, as many  felt that the word ‘leisure’ left by itself was open to interpretation to include passive leisure activities including cinema, bingo, and PC gaming.

SkillsActive’s diploma development manager, Sue Hook said:

“It is vitally important to get the name of the Diploma right straight from the off. A name that doesn’t reflect what’s in the Diploma could hamper its success. This is why the consultations with employers and education institutions have been crucial at every stage of the Diplomas development.

“We received some great feedback and was able to take that straight to the Department for Children Schools and Families and say look, this is what our employers are saying, the Diploma in Sport and Leisure isn’t reflective of the industry, it’s about activity rather than inactive leisure pursuits.”

Whilst general comments felt that the title needed to be kept clear and concise, a general understanding was a need to direct more focus on encompassing the entire diploma content, in particular active leisure, not only sport.

A proposal to change the Diploma title was submitted to the Diploma Sub Programme Board based on the feedback from the consultations and received approval on 15 April 2008. All reference to the Diploma moving forward will be titled as The Diploma in Sport and Active Leisure.

SkillsActive is managing the development on the sport and active leisure diploma on behalf of the active leisure and learning sector, for more information please visit www.skillsactive.com/sldiploma