New British Ice Skating Coaching Pathway

British Ice Skating are proud to announce exciting incoming changes to our coaching pathway.  

In 2023, we committed to reviewing our coaching pathway to ensure it continues to meet the evolving needs of our sports. The aim of the review was to create a modern, transparent, and sustainable coaching pathway that supports participation, performance, and the long-term growth of ice skating across the UK.   

The work was carried out collaboratively with the BIS Coaching Working Groups and other experienced and high-performing coaches from across the UK, ensuring the coaching community's views and experiences were considered at every stage. The outcome is a new structure for our coaching qualifications which aims to recognise and reward coaches’ development and progress, as well as a plan for updating course content and delivery to ensure our qualifications are aligned to the latest industry standards and offer the best possible value for learners.  The below chart outlines the new structure – read on for details! 

QUALIFICATION DEVELOPMENT

Our aims for our redeveloped qualifications are: 

• to improve accessibility, enabling people from a wider range of backgrounds to access, and excel in, a coaching career. 

• to ensure the highest possible quality of education and support for learners, drawing on guidance from CIMSPA and reflecting the latest best practice and learning. 

• to provide a clear and supportive progression path coaches can follow as they grow in their role.   

The first stage of rolling out the new qualifications began in 2024 with the launch of the Assistant Coach qualification – since then over 200 learners have begun or completed the qualification, with entries for the next cohort opening in May 2026.  The next phases are provisionally planned as follows:  

• The new Level 1 Grassroots Coach qualification will welcome its first cohort in April 2026. 

• The Level 2 National Coach qualification is currently in development, with a planned launch of Spring/Summer 2027. 

• The Level 3 National Coach qualification is currently in development, with a planned launch of late 2027.

• Qualifications for Level 4 and 5 remain under development, with further detail to be confirmed in due course. 
  

 Further guidance, timelines, and support information will be shared ahead of each stage of implementation. 

QUALIFICATION PROGRESSION

The review process identified a gap in our current pathway for recognising coaches’ development between their qualification steps. To ensure we are appropriately recognising coaches’ ongoing progress, as well as providing a clear set of stepping stones towards their next full level, additional milestone awards will be introduced for the new qualifications (from Level 2 onwards). 

These milestone awards will mark key achievements in a coach’s journey, eg. achieving a set number of test passes or entries to certain competition levels. They will come at no additional cost to coaches and will be able to be claimed retrospectively based on past achievements.  

Full details of the award milestones available for each level will be shared as each new qualification is prepared for launch. 

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR ME?

For more detail on these, check our FAQs down below!  

Current Coaches 

Existing BIS coaching qualifications will map to the new core pathway levels, ensuring that experience and achievement are fully recognised and that no coach is disadvantaged through the transition. The transfer of your current qualification will happen once the equivalent new qualification comes off the line.   More information about exactly how qualifications will be transferred and how the associated milestone awards can be claimed will be available as each new qualification is launched.  

New Coaches

 For those entering coaching for the first time, the new pathway provides a clear, transparent, and supportive progression route - from Assistant Coach through Level 1 Grassroots and onwards into the national coaching structure.  

The next cohort for our Assistant Coach qualification, the entry qualification to the pathway, will open for applications in May 2026.  

Skaters 

For skaters and participants, these developments will strengthen coach education, improve the support available to the coaching workforce, and enhance the overall quality, consistency, and safety of coaching delivered across all levels of the sport.  

NEXT STEPS

Engagement with coaches, clubs, and stakeholders will continue throughout the rollout of these changes to ensure the pathway remains practical, inclusive, and reflective of the needs of the skating community.  

Further opportunities to access guidance, ask questions, and provide feedback, will be shared as each phase of the pathway is introduced. 

If you have any questions or comments on the plan for the new coaching pathway, please submit them here.  

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why has the coaching pathway been reviewed?

The previous coaching pathway had not undergone a full review for more than ten years and in that time a great deal has changed in terms of our sport and coaching practice. The review was a chance to identify how we could strengthen our qualifications and ensure coaches are fully equipped for success. Our aim is to create a modern, transparent, and sustainable coaching pathway that supports participation, performance, and the long-term growth of ice skating across the UK.

Who has been involved in the review process? 

The review has been shaped through collaboration and consultation across the sport, including: 

• The Coaching Working Groups 

• Relevant external bodies. 

• Experienced and high-performing coaches from across the UK 
  

This ongoing engagement ensures the pathway reflects current coaching practice, performance needs, and workforce development across all levels of the sport.

What has changed so far?

The first stage of the new pathway was the introduction of the Assistant Coach qualification, which launched in 2024 and is aligned with CIMSPA and wider National Governing Body standards. This qualification enables delivery within Learn to Skate programmes, such as Skate UK.  

When will the next new coaching levels be introduced?

• Assistant Coach – already launched, the next cohort opens 11 May 2026 

• Level 1 Grassroots Coach – launching soon, first cohort opens 27 April 2026  

• Level 2 National Coach – planned launch Spring/Summer 2027 

• Level 3 National Coach planned launch late 2027 

• Level 4 and above – in development, details to follow  

Each qualification will be introduced in phases, with full details and guidance shared in advance. Only once a new level is launched will the award milestones become available – details on how to claim these will be released along with the rest of the guidance about the new qualification.

What information is currently available on the new Level 1 Grassroots Coach qualification?

The first cohort for the new Level 1 Grassroots Coach qualification will open in April 2026. Applicants will need to be BIS Skills 4 and Singles National 4 or Basic Novice Dance (or equivalent) to apply for the qualification.  The qualification will cost £995, and allow coaches to teach and enter their skaters in national tests/events below Novice level. Full details about this qualification and application guidance will be available very soon!

How will this affect my current coaching qualification and progression?

Existing qualifications will map to the new pathway levels - your experience, achievements, and current status will be recognised, and no coach will be disadvantaged through the transition. Full information on mapping and progression will be shared ahead of implementation of each stage. For now:  

Level 1 Assistant Coaches – The former Level 1 assistant qualification was replaced with the Assistant Coach qualification in 2024, and many Level 1 assistant coaches have already ‘bridged the gap’ to become Assistant Coaches. If you still hold the Level 1 assistant qualification and are ready/eligible to take the next step, you would now need to apply for the new Level 1 Grassroots Coach qualification opening in April 2026. This may sound like a sideways step, but our Grassroots Coach qualification will be a significant step up in terms of education and coaching independence! 

Assistant Coaches – This qualification was the first of the new pathway levels to launch, and will not be undergoing any significant changes in the near future. When you are ready/eligible to take your next step, you would need to apply for the new Level 1 qualification, which will open for applications for its first cohort in April 2026. 

 Level 2 Coaches – Your qualification will be mapped to the new Level 2 National Coach qualification when it launches in 2027, and you will then also be able to claim any award milestones you are already eligible for. When you are ready to take your next step, you would need to apply for the new Level 3 National Coach qualification – launch date to be confirmed soon. 

 Level 3 and Above Coaches - Your qualification will be mapped to the equivalent new Level 3, 4, or 5 National Coach qualification when they are launched, and you will then also be able to claim any award milestones you are already eligible for. When you are ready to take your next step, you will need to wait until the next level of qualification is relaunched. We will keep you updated on the rollout timeframes. 

Will I need to retrain?

No immediate retraining is planned as part of the transition. Where development opportunities are introduced, these will focus on supporting progression and professional development, rather than disadvantaging existing coaches. 

 How does the new pathway help coaches?

The updated pathway is designed to: 

• Provide clear progression routes from entry-level to national coaching, rewarding coaches for milestones achieved between core qualification levels and giving them a clear roadmap to follow as they progress. 

• Improve accessibility into coaching, including updating entry requirements to allow more people from different backgrounds to start their coaching career. The new Assistant Coach qualification, for example, removed a figure skating-specific entry standard that made it inaccessible to skaters from different discipline backgrounds. 

• Align qualifications with industry and CIMSPA standards, ensuring the education delivered is up to date, fit for purpose, and offers the best possible value for money. 

• Create more opportunities for development and progression, supporting coaches to continue learning and growing in their roles. 

• Strengthen the professional recognition of skating coaches.

How does this benefit skaters?

Skaters will experience: 

• Better-educated and better-supported coaches 

• Greater consistency and safety in coaching delivery 

• Stronger progression across participation and performance pathways

Will financial support be available?

There are currently no general bursaries attached to our qualifications. However, British Ice Skating will continue to explore Equality, Diversity and Inclusion-led accessibility opportunities where appropriate.

Will there be opportunities to ask questions or give feedback?

Yes. British Ice Skating will continue engagement with coaches and stakeholders throughout the phased rollout. You can share your current thoughts and questions on the new pathway here.

Further guidance, briefings, and opportunities for feedback will be shared as each stage launches.