Apprentice of the Month –

Lucy Hicks – Level 4 Sports Coach

Lucy Hicks is a Level 4 Sports Coach apprentice at Kings Cliffe Endowed Primary School. With a lifelong passion for sport and a drive to inspire the next generation, Lucy’s apprenticeship journey highlights how vocational learning can unlock confidence, leadership, and career direction.

A passion for sport and practical learning 

Lucy has always loved being active. Growing up, she trained in martial arts and dancing, recently achieving her 2nd Dan black belt in kickboxing, a testament to her dedication and discipline.

At school, PE was always her favourite subject. She went on to complete her BTEC Level 2 in Sport, achieving a Distinction*, followed by a BTEC Level 3 with a Distinction. While Lucy has always enjoyed learning, she found she sometimes struggled with the academic side of education. Vocational qualifications allowed her to learn practically, achieve her goals, and share her knowledge in a hands-on way.

This practical route is what led Lucy to choose an apprenticeship. She wanted to continue learning while gaining real-world experience and further qualifications. She was particularly drawn to coaching in primary schools, with a strong ambition to inspire more girls to love sport, alongside supporting all children who thrive through practical learning.

Building confidence and leadership

Although only three months into her apprenticeship, Lucy has already gained invaluable experience. With the support of her mentors, she has developed her communication and leadership skills and grown in confidence working independently across a range of year groups, both in and out of the classroom.

She is particularly enjoying the teaching assistant aspect of her role and is now focusing her long-term career ambitions within sports education.

Making an early impact

Being nominated for Apprentice of the Month so early into her placement was a proud moment for Lucy. Knowing she had already made a positive difference within the school meant a great deal.

One of her favourite parts of the role is hearing pupils ask, “When is the next after-school club?” Parents have also shared that their children talk about how much they love “Miss Hicks’ clubs” and can’t wait for the next one, evidence of the positive relationships she has created.

Why Lucy recommends an apprenticeship with inspire+

From the moment she was accepted onto the programme, Lucy admits to having felt supported by her tutors and the wider team, throughout the interview process and into her placement at school.

For Lucy, choosing a Level 4 apprenticeship instead of university has been a fantastic alternative. It has allowed her to gain valuable experience, begin working in her chosen field, and continue her education while achieving further qualifications.

To find out more about our apprenticeships, visit

www.inspireplus.org.uk/become-a-pe-apprentice