Jack Hobbs Apprenticeships are a fantastic way to work alongside qualified experts and gain nationally recognised qualifications. Former Argyle Community Trust Apprentice Jack Ryan is a fantastic ambassador for our programmes.
Jack started his apprenticeship journey in September 2020, enrolling on the Level 2 Community Activator Coach (L2CAC) before progressing onto the Level 4 Sports Coach (L4SC) through his employer, Elburton Primary School.
The L2CAC is a 14-month apprenticeship that focuses on the basics of community engagement within a school setting. This usually takes the shape of organising and executing physical education (PE) classes and providing support for small and large-scale school events such sports days. This provides participants with the relevant tools needed to organise, lead, and analyse sessions while encouraging high levels of reflection.
At the age of 16, Jack decided to apply for the apprenticeship given that he was passionate about sports and helping people grow. Having participated in sailing competitions in the past, Jack began using his expertise as a coach to help the newcomers advance in the sport.
Jack then applied for the L2CAC apprenticeship with Elburton Primary School, with his passion for sport and enthusiasm for helping others grow being key factors in his successful appointment.
“Thinking back to 2020, like any 16-year-old, I started to have a serious think about options for future careers,” said Jack. “I attended a range of career events and spoke to career advisors through my school.
“After much thought, I decided to further my career in sailing, with the ambition of making this my full-time professional career. Unfortunately, due to injuries and a range of sponsorship and financial problems, this was not possible. Unfortunately, my Plan A had failed.”
“My Plan B was to pursue a career in the Navy. I had completed all my entry assessments but then COVID hit. The Navy paused all recruitment and deferred my potential entry by one year. So now, my Plan A and Plan B had failed.
“There weren’t many options left; the whole country was in a lockdown. I knew that I wasn’t interested in conventional A Levels, it just wasn’t for me. My Dad pointed me down the apprenticeship route until the Navy came back to me. I used the government’s ‘Find an Apprenticeship’ service to look for apprenticeships in my local area.
“Due to COVID, there weren’t many options. Although, there was one – Level 2 Sports Coach apprenticeship at Elburton Primary School. Right, ‘Working with kids?’ I thought to myself. No thanks. Like everyone, I then entered a period of ‘hibernation’. Lots of Xbox, eating, and some VERY dodgy haircuts. The more I pondered, the more I considered working in a school to be an option.
“Anyway – what harm would a year do before I moved onto the Navy? Just before the deadline, I applied and was fortunate enough to receive the job. Plan C it is!”
Jack obtained a range of learning experiences from both apprenticeship courses which have influenced his present and future paths. When Jack was a coach in his early years, he led small, semi-structured sessions with a great deal of energy, which frequently inspired individuals to participate.
Recalling starting his new role and progressing onto the Level 4 Sports Coach, Jack said: “I found it incredibly daunting walking into the school for the first time at 16 years-old having just left school myself. Now I was the one with the responsibility.
“I was quickly introduced to Dave, Darrel, and Tim as the people who would support me. Once every half term, I attended theory days based at Argyle which gave me the knowledge to support myself on my journey. All these sessions were delivered in a fun, engaging way and included safeguarding, teaching practices first aid and CPD from external companies.
“I was regularly supported by Darrel who came in to observe my sessions. Darrel would give constructive feedback on how to improve my practice. I was also encouraged to shadow and learn from fellow teachers.”
“I quickly found myself at the Level 2 End Point Assessment. Being well prepared and having great support, I passed this with a good grade. The time came where I had to make a choice. Stay at the school where I had developed, built relationships, and worked, or progress onto the Navy. To me, this was an easy choice – I stayed at Elburton. I was enjoying my learning and didn’t want to stop.”
“To continue developing in my role, my cohort was offered to progress onto the Level 4 Sports Coach course. This lasted for 2 years and really did push my professional development to the max. It gave me the skills to be a competent deliverer and planner. We studied the national curriculum in detail, coaching strategies, and workplace practices – giving us the knowledge to become experts in our field.”
While Jack was receiving praise from his employers and assessor, in the winter of 2022 he received some harrowing news regarding his health which required an extensive healing phase. Despite his diagnosis, Jack made the conscious decision to carry on with his work and studies despite having limited hand movement. This is a testament to Jack’s character and resilience to place such importance on the children he works with through his apprenticeship and school.
Jack’s recovery served as an inspiration to the students he worked with, his fellow apprentices, and to his assessment team. Jack’s growth during his apprenticeship programme has been far greater than just that of his course. His personal development and resilience proves that embracing the good things in life will help you even in the darkest of circumstances.
In the summer of 2024 Jack successfully passed his Level 4 Sports Coach programme and was offered a new full-time position. Jack’s school are now also supporting him to work towards his future ambitions of becoming a qualified teacher. Jack’s relationship with the various classes he supports shines through in his delivery, as he plans sessions that not only get children active but challenges each individual.
On completing his apprenticeship, Jack was afforded the opportunity to present at Argyle Community Trust’s School’s Conference, where he followed former Olympic Swimmer and Gladiator Sharron Davies MBE onto the stage.
During his speech to a room full of headteachers and senior leaders, Jack recalled:
“With any course like this, you’re going to face challenges. If I think right back to the start, entering a professional workplace for the first time was very daunting yet I was welcomed instantly and supported from all angles.
“At times the content was challenging, but in a good way. We were encouraged to be open about anything we were finding difficult so we could be supported. Building a trustworthy, open environment is something the Trust are great at, and I felt comfortable throughout.”
“If I’m asked about career highs, I genuinely have too many to list but positively impacting children’s lives has to be the one. The relationships I have built with children, and seeing the impact of my practice cannot be compared.
“Throughout my apprenticeship, I have developed a passion for getting children active – the benefits are endless. I have just finished my Level 4 Sports Coach and I am currently progressing into my Level 5 Learning and Skills Teacher apprenticeship, to further enhance my practice and development. If I was asked where I see myself in five years? I want to be carrying on coaching or teaching but who knows! I’ve been equipped with a good set of skills which can be used in any walk of life.”
Jack is a keen advocate of apprenticeships and the benefits it has offered him: “If any of you are considering taking on apprentices, I cannot recommend it enough. I have developed so much over the last four years, and this has contributed to my own development, but I hope the development of my school too.
“I am proud to have been affiliated with the Trust which has aided my professional development massively. This has been partnered with a great school that I’m very thankful to be a part of. In terms of advice to prospective schools, remember the sky’s the limit for your apprentices. They can develop massively over a short space of time and will hopefully become competent members of staff quickly, thanks to good guidance and training.
“I really have enjoyed my apprenticeship journey and it’s one I’m proud to have done. It’s worked out well for a Plan C. I fell into this but have loved every aspect of it and regret nothing.”
Headteacher at Elburton Primary School, Keith Smithers, is full of praise for the impact Jack has had at the school.
“It has been an absolute pleasure observing Jack grow in confidence and influencing the lives and becoming a role model for the children at the school. He has excelled within his coaching role, most notably leading the school football team to become Plymouth champions and runners-up in the southwest championships.
“Alongside football, Jack has led a range of extra-curricular clubs, a breakfast club, and spent time away with children on residentials and has been a valued teaching assistant. He supports children with their academic and social development within the classroom and at break times. Jack is incredibly well respected at the school by staff, children, and parents.
“It is exciting to see where he will take his next stage of learning both at Elburton Primary School and beyond.”
The apprenticeship team at Argyle Community Trust would like to thank Jack for his hard work, dedication and humility throughout his apprenticeship journey – it has been a pleasure to have had the opportunity to work with him and we collectively wish him every success for his future career!
To find out more about our apprenticeships and our current opportunities, please email our Apprenticeship Manager Dave Shurmer on Dave.Shurmer@pafc.co.uk
