Active Schools Coordinator (Scotland)
An active schools coordinator works to encourage children and young people to take part in sport and physical activity across school, sports club, and community settings. The role is part of the Active Schools Network, supported by sportscotland and local councils across Scotland.
The role of an active schools coordinator aligns to the CIMSPA Entry Manager occupational professional standard.
What does a Active Schools Coordinator (Scotland) do?
The key roles and responsibilities of an active schools coordinator are to:
Boost Participation in Physical Activity
- Organise and promote extracurricular sports and physical activities.
- Ensure a broad range of inclusive opportunities for pupils of all abilities and backgrounds.
Build and Maintain Partnerships
- Collaborate with schools, sports clubs, community organisations, and national governing bodies.
- Strengthen links between school and community sport to encourage lifelong engagement.
Support Volunteers and Coaches
- Recruit, train, and support volunteers, including parents, teachers, and senior pupils.
- Coordinate coaching sessions and ensure they meet quality and safety standards.
Plan and Deliver Programmes
- Design and implement activity programmes tailored to the needs of individual schools.
- Focus on targeted groups (e.g. girls, disabled pupils, or those from disadvantaged backgrounds).
Monitor and Evaluate Impact
- Track participation levels and outcomes.
- Report progress to sportscotland, local authorities and other stakeholders.
- Use data to refine programmes and demonstrate their effectiveness.
Promote Equity and Inclusion
- Ensure activities are accessible and welcoming to all pupils.
- Address barriers to participation and encourage positive attitudes towards physical activity.
Skills and behaviours
According to MyJobScotland, the following soft skills and behaviours are often asked for in active school coordinator job adverts:
Communication Skills
- Demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication.
- Adapt your communication style to suit different audiences, including pupils, parents, teachers, and partners.
Commitment to Equality and Diversity
- Actively value and promote equality, diversity, and inclusion within Active Schools programmes.
- Ensure all activities are accessible and welcoming to children and young people from all backgrounds.
Interpersonal and Relationship-Building Skills
- Build positive relationships with pupils, staff, volunteers, and external partners.
- Show empathy, patience, and professionalism in all interactions.
Influencing and Negotiation
- Use strong influencing and negotiating skills to gain support, secure resources, and encourage collaboration.
- Advocate effectively for the benefits of physical activity and inclusive sport.
Motivation and Enthusiasm
- Be enthusiastic and highly self-motivated.
- Inspire and motivate others, including pupils and volunteers, to get involved and stay active.
Organisation and Initiative
- Prioritise tasks effectively and meet deadlines.
- Work independently, using your initiative to solve problems and manage competing demands.
Teamwork
- Collaborate effectively as part of a team.
- Contribute to shared goals and support colleagues across schools and community settings.
How to become a Active Schools Coordinator (Scotland)
To become an active schools coordinator in Scotland, there isn’t one set qualification route. Most employers look for a mix of education, experience, and skills related to working in the sport and physical activity sector.
University
It is often a requirement to hold a degree level qualification in a relevant subject such as:
- Sports coaching and development
- Fitness, health and exercise
- Sports coaching and performance
- Sports science
- Teaching
In the CIMSPA endorsed training directory, you can check what courses our partner colleges and universities offer as well as course entry requirements, a summary of course content/material and more information on how to apply.
Relevant experience, skills and knowledge
If you’ve done a similar job before, or have the right skills and knowledge, you could apply to be an active schools coordinator. For example, if you have experience working as a teacher or a sports development officer, you may have gained the relevant experience needed to work as an active schools coordinator.
Apprenticeship
You can complete an apprenticeship to gain skills and experience to support you on your journey to become an active schools coordinator.
Find out more about completing a modern apprenticeship in Active Leisure, Learning and Wellbeing here
Finding a job
Active schools coordinator jobs are promoted on Myjobscotland as well as
Professional Standards
CIMSPA is the guardian of a single professional and apprenticeship standards framework for the sport and physical activity sector – outlining the minimum knowledge, skills and behaviours an individual must understand and demonstrate for every occupation and job role in the sector.
This standards framework is driving the development of quality education products for our workforce and supporting employers in assessing which job roles an individual is qualified for.
Active Schools Coordinator (Scotland) Courses and qualifications
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Career paths and progression
Career pathways
Career progression
Career progression
As well as exploring new career pathways, as an active schools coordinator you can also choose to progress your career by completing further training or continued professional development (CPD) in your role. This training can be added to enable active schools coordinators to show their expertise in additional populations, in different environments and with technical specialisms.
Find a job as a Active Schools Coordinator (Scotland)
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CIMSPA will not be liable for any false, inaccurate, inappropriate or incomplete information presented on the jobs board.