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Case study 21: Enrichment activities for PE

This case study shows how a school has extended its range of enrichment opportunities for students who are talented in PE and sport.

Background  

mixed, eight-form entry 11 to 16 comprehensive in a semi-rural area

Implementation

working with a neighbouring sixth-form college to offer enrichment activities, coaching courses, awards and competitions

increasing the number of teams

Impact

higher grades in GCSE PE

successes at county and national levels

students gaining coaching and demonstrator qualifications

better attendance and health across the school

a new Former Students' Sports Association, which will keep young people in sport

Background

The school is a mixed, eight-form entry 11 to16 comprehensive school. It is in a semi-rural part of the West Country, with some deprivation in the area because of unemployment. The school shares a community sports centre with the neighbouring sixth-form college. It has a strong PE department, as well as a number of other staff who are interested in supporting a particular sport.

The PE department uses the advanced units from the QCA schemes of work in its general key stage 4 curriculum for all students. Two groups usually opt for the GCSE PE course, and students are also able to work towards other awards, including sports national governing body awards.

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Implementation

In the past year, the school has worked closely with the sixth-form college to offer a new range of enrichment activities and initiatives, including:

• aerobics classes for key stage 4 and sixth-form students in the lunch hour and early evening. Both the school and college have unearthed some hidden talent and a high-level group has emerged, many of whom are now training for aerobics demonstrator qualifications;
• a personal fitness module as part of level 2 and 3 Application of Number activities;
• greater use of dance and gymnastic specialists to promote high-level skills;
• closer links with two local dance schools and a gymnastics club;
• greater use of specialist sports coaches for lunchtime and after-hours activities (part-funded by a New Opportunities Fund grant);
• regular use of video of top performers, to inspire students to learn improved techniques in dance and other sports;
• occasional highly-publicised visits to the school and college by famous local sportsmen and women, to encourage and inspire students;
• a doubling of the number of sports teams representing the college, leading to triumphs at county and regional level (and ensuring continuity for students who have contributed to school team success);
• ongoing sports ladder competitions in individual sports like tennis, squash and badminton, with monthly internal awards for the most progress up the ladder;
• the introduction of the Junior Sports Leader Award, made available to coaching volunteers from year 10 upwards;
• more support for outdoor pursuits challenges, leading to Outward Bound and Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

Parents and carers have been involved in the new programme, responding to requests from both the school and college to help with transport for the many team and individual trips to sporting venues.

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Impact

As a result of the new enrichment activities for PE and sport:

• more students are passing GCSE PE with high grades;
• three teams won county titles and seven students reached national finals in four different sports;
• 13 students have gained Junior Sports Leader Awards and 10 have gained other coaching or demonstrator qualifications;
• many students with hidden or unfulfilled talents have blossomed in this positive culture of physical endeavour, showing unexpected levels of skill, tactical awareness, imagination, determination and confidence;
• attendance figures have improved, linked to better health across the school. Staff involved in support activities have also said that they have an increased vigour in their day-to-day lives;
• for the first time, a group of school leavers has formed a Former Students' Sports Association -- a network that will keep the young people in sport and will feed enthusiasm and developing expertise back into the school.

The new initiatives have had a similarly positive effect on the sixth-form college. Last year, five students were awarded A grades in A level PE and gained their first choice university place. In addition, 14 other students were able to mention a significant sport award or trophy in their UCAS personal statements.

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