Physical education & school sport in Stafford is on the rise

Latest figures released indicate that provision for physical education and school sport in Stafford is on the rise.

81% of pupils now take part in at least two hours of high quality physical education and out of hours school sport in a typical week in Stafford. The 2006/2007 School Sport Survey commissioned to TNS by The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) is the fourth annual survey and looks to collect information about levels of participation in Physical Education (PE) and school sport.

Partnership Development Manager, Gina Wallis, is delighted with the latest figures, “In 2005 when we started out as a Partnership, the percentage of children taking part in two hours was as low as 48%. Within two years we have made an increase of 33% which is outstanding.”

The survey focused on various aspects of school sport including curriculum time for physical education, Intra School activities, Inter School Competition, Club Links amongst others.

Despite being at 81% the Stafford & Stone School Sport Partnership (SSSSP) still have a great deal of work to do. The government has set a target of 85% for 2008 and a further ambition of pupils participating in 4-5 hours of physical education and sport by 2010.

Wallis added, “Physical Education and school sport play an important role in school life. They help to raise standards, improve behaviour and health, increase attendance and develop social skills. For these reasons we will continue to work with schools in an aim to have all children in Stafford and Stone participating in at least 2 hours curriculum physical education a week.”

A major focus for the SSSSP will continue to be the secondary sector. Nationally Key stages 3 and 4 have the lowest participation rates and this is no different in Stafford and Stone. Current participation rates in these age groups are well below the government’s target, therefore Gina Wallis and her team will continue to work alongside Headteachers and Heads of PE in an aim to meet the 85% target by next year.

Three other areas of the survey are also a focus for the Partnership this year. Assistant Partnership Development Manager, Jo Cooper, will be developing ways of identifying support mechanisms for Gifted and Talented pupils. Partnership Support Officer, Jo Barnett, has recently started work on increasing the amount of School Club Links within the area. The partnership also continues to be above national averages for the amount of pupils taking part in Inter-School Competition. Steve Glover, Assistant PDM stated, “In Stafford and Stone 36% of all pupils took part in at least one competitive activity for their school. This is above the national average but we still aim to go higher.   Over the next year, clusters will be focusing their efforts on those pupils who have not represented the school.  We as a partnership will also be developing leagues, festivals and tournaments that will provide individuals with further opportunities of ‘representing the school'".

Following on from the survey, schools have been automatically assessed for Activemark and Sportsmark.   These are national awards based on various criteria and Steve Glover stated, “The Stafford and Stone School Sport Partnership are delighted to announce that 35 of our schools have received Activemark and 5 schools have received Sportsmark. This is a reflection of all the hard work that PE coordinators and PE departments have done over the last year.”

For further information please contact:

Stephen Glover
Assistant Partnership Development Manager
Stafford and Stone School Sport Partnership
Tel: 07793891029
Email: steve_glover_ssco@hotmail.co.uk
Website: www.staffordandstonessp.co.uk

Stafford Sports College
Wolverhampton Road
Stafford ST17 9DJ

MEND - a community, family-based programme

The Stafford and Stone School Sport Partnership (SSSSP) recently announced their involvement with the MEND programme. MEND is a community, family-based programme for overweight and obese children aged between 7-13 and their families. The multi disciplinary programme places equal emphasis on (M)ind, (E)xercise and (N)utrition…Do it!. The response from families has been great and there are now only four places left on the first course.

The first MEND session will commence on Monday 7^th January 2008 at Stafford Sports College but families need to apply now to gain a place. To register your child, please call Programme Manager, Jo Barnett on 01785 259380 or 07976017775. The programme is specifically aimed at Obese and Overweight Children aged 7-13 years old. Pupils from the following schools are eligible to apply for the first block of sessions; Stafford Sports College, King Edward VI High, The Grove Primary, Flash Ley Primary, Silkmore Primary, Burton Manor Primary, St. Leonard’s Primary, Castlechurch, St. Austin’s Primary and St. Paul’s Primary School.

MEND combines all the elements known to be vital in treating and preventing overweight or obesity in children, including family involvement, practical education in nutrition, increasing physical activity and behavioural change. The programme is designed to deliver sustained improvements in families’ diets, fitness levels and overall health.

Jo Barnett, the Partnership Support Officer who will be working in the role as Programme Manger, stated, “We are delighted with the response from the public. A variety of different families have been in touch and we are excited about starting in January.” Steve Glover, Assistant Partnership Development Manager added, “I am thrilled that the first course will be full. The programme manager has put a great deal of time into making sure we have enough families for it to be a success. We have also had members of the sporting and health communities get in touch and offer their support.”

For further information please contact:

Sportshall Athletics events

Stafford and Stone School Sport Partnership are delighted to announce the delivery of 8 Sportshall Athletics events during November and December.

Sportshall Athletics was created in the United Kingdom by George Bunner in 1976 to introduce young people to the joy of athletics. He recognized that training on dark winter nights was unappealing and often meant that many youngsters left athletics clubs over the winter and didn’t return in the summer! However, he encouraged them to come back with the introduction of inventions such as the Reversaboard which enabled athletes to strike and turn in the same movement and run in the opposite direction. Soon most athletic events were made possible within a sports hall environment. Ron Pickering became the first President of the Sportshall Athletics Association and was so impressed by George’s ideas that he helped by offering improvements and suggestions of his own. George Uren brought his ideas and enthusiasm to the team in 1982.

The lead provided by George Bunner, Ron Pickering and George Uren has inspired others, ensuring that Sportshall Athletics emphasizes the importance of team competition, fair play and the fact that taking part and trying your hardest is more important than winning. Sportshall is an activity that can bring together young people across the globe in energetic competition and lasting friendship.

These events will provide an opportunity for approximately 900 year 5 & 6 pupils [aged 9-11] to participate in a variety of events such as the standing long jump, standing triple jump, vertical jump, speed bounce, javelin and many relays. In addition the events will be supported by over 200 year 10 and 11 Sports Leaders [aged 14 -16] who are volunteering their time and energies to ensure that young pepole from their primary schools have an enjoyable time.

The partnership will be running the following cluster events:

Thursday 22^nd November – Sir Graham Balfour Cluster 2pm start at SGB

Friday 23^rd November – Blessed William Howard Cluster 1.30pm start at BWH

Monday 26^th November – Alleynes Cluster 1.15pm start at Alleynes

Tuesday 27^th November – King Edward VI Cluster 3.30pm start at K.E.S.

Wednesday 28^th November – Weston Road Cluster 4pm start at Weston Road High

Thursday 29^th November – Stafford Sports College Cluster 4pm start at SSC

Friday 30^th November – Walton High Cluster 4pm start at SSC.

Results can be found on the partnership website – www.staffordandstonessp.co.uk

Following on from each event, there will be a partnership final on Wednesday 12^th December at Stafford Sports College. Schools will arrive at 2.15pm and spent 30 minutes in the hall with current Great Britain Hurdler Sara McGreavy. Sara will talk about her career as an athlete and answer questions from the pupils. The 7 schools will then compete in the final commencing at 2.45pm

Winners of the Stafford and Stone School Sport Partnership event will represent the Partnership in the Staffordshire final. This will take place in January at Fenton Manor in Stoke-on-Trent.

Organizer, Steve Glover said, “These are the first Sportshall Athletics events that have ever been held for schools in Stafford. They have taken a lot of organsing but then end results are worthwhile with over 900 pupils taking part. I must thank Clare Newton at Stafford Borough Council and Catherine Pendlelbury from Sport Across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent for their support and guidance with the events.”

For further information please contact:

Stephen Glover
Assistant Partnership Development Manager
Stafford and Stone School Sport Partnership
Tel: 07793891029
Email: steve_glover_ssco@hotmail.co.uk
Website: www.staffordandstonessp.co.uk

Stafford Sports College
Wolverhampton Road
Stafford ST17 9DJ

School/Club Link evening at Stafford Sports College

The Stafford and Stone School Sport Partnership are holding a School/Club Link Evening on Wednesday 23^rd January 2008 (7pm-9pm) at Stafford Sports College.

The aim of the School/Club Link Evening will be to establish stronger links between the various sports clubs in Stafford and Stone with all Infant, Primary, Middle and Secondary Schools within the Partnership.

During the evening club representatives will have the opportunity to speak to a National Governing Body Officer, members of the School Sport Partnership, representatives from the County Sport Partnership and will also have chance to attend workshops.

The club links programme, being delivered through sports national governing bodies and national network of school sports partnerships, will provide more opportunities for children and young people as they move from school sport to club sport. Effective links between schools and clubs will encourage young people to adopt healthier lifestyles, enjoying sport whilst participating in a safe environment and hopefully going on to achieve sporting success.

Why should club representatives attend?

Access to schools within the School Sport Partnership
Recruitment opportunities
Effective communication between club/ school/ players
Continual Professional Development opportunities
Many more reasons.

Most sports clubs in the area should have received invites to the event however all representatives from all clubs are welcome. If you have not received an invite, please call the number below to confirm that you would like to attend.

Joanne Barnett
Partnership Development Officer/School Club Links Liaison Officer
Tel: 07976017775
Email: joanne_m_barnett@hotmail.com

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