Assistant Coach Qualification: Applications Reopening May 6th 2025

Applications for places on the fourth cohort for our Assistant Coach qualification are opening on Tuesday 6th May 2025 at 12 noon.

This cohort will begin their qualification in June 2025.

Full details about the qualification are available here:

Assistant Coach: Qualification Criteria

On successful completion of the course, Assistant Coaches will be fully licensed to independently teach, and earn money from teaching, the Skate UK programme.

There are only a limited number of spaces available on the cohort, and applications will be accepted on a first come, first served basis, so we advise applying early to avoid disappointment.

Please note the application process has been changed since this cohort was first announced: interested applicants will need to register here via Sport:80 to apply rather than completing and uploading an application form.

Qualification Cost: £500 Key Dates for Cohort 4:

• 13th June 2025 - Course material information emailed out.

• 30th June 2025  - Online induction session via Zoom.

• July 2025 – In-person education (details TBC with enrolled trainees).

• September 2025– Online safeguarding course. Exact date TBC

• April 2026 – Written/Practical assessment. Exact date TBC

Below you can find answers to frequently asked questions about the qualification - if you've got a question not answered here, get in touch with us at coaching@iceskating.org.uk

Frequently Asked Questions:

How old must I be to apply?

You must be minimum 16 years old at the point of beginning the qualification. For Cohort 4 this means applicants must be 16 by 13th June 2025.

How do I apply?

Spaces on the cohort will be filled on a first come, first served basis, with a place only secured once payment has been completed. Applications cannot be submitted before 12pm 6th May.

Please note the application process has been changed: interested applicants will need to register here via Sport:80 to apply rather than completing and uploading an application form. Your application is not complete until this registration is complete and payment has been made. 

How long will it take me to complete the Assistant Coach qualification?

It will take you approximately nine months from start to finish (a little longer if you need to resit your assessment).

How much does the qualification cost, and what is included?

The Assistant Coach Qualification costs £500. This includes:

• modules and guidance freshly updated to reflect industry best practice

• the applicant’s license fee for their first year once qualified

• written and practical exams (including Competency Test if needed)

• education from experts in the field at the BIS Coaching Convention or a dedicated Education Day (cohort-dependent)

• multiple professional development courses

Find out more about exactly what the course involves here.

What does the Competency Test involve?

The Competency Test will assess your ability to demonstrate necessary skating skills in a safe and controlled manner while maintaining awareness of the rink and skaters around you.

To pass, you should be able to competently perform all of the required elements of Skate UK levels 1-8, while demonstrating situational awareness (for example, being able to stop in a controlled manner to assist a participant, or to avoid potential collisions).

The Competency Test is only required for applicants who do not already hold a Level 1 National Skills test. This is to allow skaters from all backgrounds to begin their coaching journey here as long as they can demonstrate the necessary skating skills.

What if my rink doesn't do Skate UK, or runs an older version of Skate UK?

You do not have to be based at a BIS-approved rink to apply for or successfully achieve this qualification.

The learn to skate programme at your rink should still cover the fundamentals of ice skating that must be learned and demonstrated in order to qualify; this learning must then be made evident in your recorded mentor hours. The Skate UK app may be helpful for tracking exactly what you need to cover.

What are 'cohorts' and why are they capped at a limited number?

Your cohort is the group of people studying the course at the same time as you. We limit the number of people in each group to ensure we can deliver the course to a high standard, providing you with quality contact time from instructors and staff and better value for money.

I'm a qualified BIS Level 1 coach - can I upgrade to the Assistant Coach qualification?

Yes, if you are a qualified Level 1 Coach, you can upgrade to the Assistant Coach qualification by completing our Bridge The Gap process. The last Bridge the Gap day will be taking place on 24th July 2025 - please contact us at coaching@iceskating.org.uk for more information.