The eight Paignton based primary schools have used one third of their ‘Primary PE & Sport Premium’ funding for the past few years to secure support from Paignton Community & Sports Academy. The support has focused on the needs of each school, in line with the expectations and outcomes attached to the funding. Each year this support has evolved and developed with new opportunities and ways of working being introduced each year.
The main interventions and impact for 2015/16 are detailed below:
Primary Festivals
This year, almost 3,500 young people have attended the various sports festivals that have been run by the Academy. This is compared to 2,520 during the last academic year, which was again more than the year before.
The primary schools have fed back that they believe there is a lot of merit for the children attending the events.
“The festivals that we have been able to attend have been excellent, well organised and extremely beneficial for the children, so many thanks to you and all involved in these events.” – A Clark, Roselands Primary School
The children have had the opportunity to try and take part in a wide range of sports, including: rugby, handball, sports hall athletics, outdoor education, multi skills, volleyball, football, cricket and athletics. Some of the festivals have led to Torbay-wide and county competitions for some of the schools.
The focus for most of the festivals has been teamwork, effort and performance. This has been rewarded and used as the scoring mechanism at some of the festivals.
The festivals have also been a great opportunity for the Academy’s students to develop their leadership skills. Over 170 leaders have been required to run the festivals, which include a number of sports leaders who have assisted with more than one of the festival. They have developed the ability to deliver high quality warm ups, explain rules, tactics, ways of improving as well as officiating. The leaders have also developed their understanding of the need for compassion and instilling confidence in others.
Leaders have demonstrated improved confidence, commitment, organisational skills and self-worth.
Curriculum Support and Staff Development
Each of the primary schools have received an hour each week of PE curriculum support, delivered by a member of the experienced PE faculty at the Academy.
Primary teachers have said that this intervention has increased their knowledge and understanding in the delivery of high quality physical education. They have adopted new teaching strategies as well as a better understanding of how to monitor improvement and plan for progression in the subject. The confidence of teachers has greatly improved by observing and working with PE specialists from PCSA according to feedback from the schools.
“Dave Carpenter has been absolutely fantastic! His enthusiasm and wealth of PE knowledge of has been an inspiration for the staff and children at Oldway Primary School. He continuously offers a high standard of lessons and is extremely flexible when it comes to meeting the needs of the school. By working with Dave, staff feel more confident at teaching PE which is having a direct impact on the pupils’ learning and participation in sport.” – B Nelson-Smith, Oldway Primary School.
“I thought important to let you know what a superb job Graeme Power is doing in KS1 with his weekly PE lessons. The KS1 Team are very impressed and appreciate the expertise he brings and the quality lessons he delivers. Again, the children are getting a great deal from it.
A big thanks from this end.” – A Clark, Roselands Primary School
Professional Development Training
Each year a range of professional development courses are run locally for the primary schools to access. This year, schools have been able to attend training in the following sports and activities: rugby, handball, multi skills, volleyball, cricket, netball, hockey, football and rounders.
“Thank you very much for the volleyball inset on Tuesday, both myself and Jake found it really useful and are looking forward to teaching volleyball at Curledge Street. The training was fun and the handouts were excellent. Thank you again.” – N Watkin, Curledge Street Academy
Primary Leadership Training
Each school has been given the opportunity for a selected group of children to be trained as sports leaders or play leaders.
This was a new intervention this year. The training has developed the children’s ability to run activities at break-time and lunch-time, helping to develop their confidence and leadership skills.
Another outcome of the training was to look at increasing levels of physical activity at break and lunch-times and reducing incidents of poor behavioural during this time. In addition, there is widespread evidence that this type of intervention will lead to better concentration during lessons and higher achievement.
“Thanks again for today! It’s inspired me to think ahead to September now.” B Nelson Smith, Oldway Primary School
Gifted & Talented Academy
Another new opportunity this year has been the Gifted & Talented Academy, which is open to young people from Key Stage 2, 3 and 4.
Twelve primary school children were accepted to be part of the Gifted & Talented Academy. They have all taken part in a professional photo shoot and free access to all of their photographs.
They have been invited to a gifted & talented session at the Academy and two of the young people have also acted as leaders at one of the sports festivals run by the Academy.
Gifted & Talented Sports Programmes
The Academy has two programmes for Gifted & Talented young sports performers
The aims of the programmes are:
- to recognise and celebrate achievements in sports performance
- to understand the pressures and commitments associated with high level sport and manage a package of support to aid young people with the additional challenges that they may face
- to assist talented young people in realising their potential through bespoke opportunities
Access to the programmes is limited. Young people must complete and submit an application form in order to be considered for a place one of the two programmes. Support completing the form is available through contacting any of the PE faculty at PCSA.
Programme 1 – Gifted & Talented Sports Academy
Entry requirements: High performing athletes/players/coaches/officials aged 8 – 18, representing county level* or above.
Package: All members of the Gifted & Talented Sports Academy will:
- have the opportunity to have attend a professional photograph session
- be invited to attend two gifted & talented workshops
- have access to an athlete mentor
Programme 2 – Elite Sport Academy
Entry requirements: High performing athletes/players/coaches/officials aged 11 – 18, generally representing above county level.
Package: All members of the Elite Sport Academy will:
- have the opportunity to have attend a professional photograph session
- be invited to attend an inspirational trip
- have a minimum of two scheduled sessions with a dedicated mentor
- have a half termly check-in with their dedicated mentor
- be invited to attend two gifted & talented workshops
- have access to athlete mentor group support
- have an invitation for their parents to attend an engagement and support session