Active schools

Background

In February 2003, active schools was identified as a key element of the Scottish Executive's drive to get more Scots more active – a commitment outlined in the national physical activity strategy. The Scottish Executive has since been developing a range of partnerships and establishing actions needed to take this work forward under the banner of the Healthy Living Campaign.

As a result of sportscotland's successful work with the original school sport coordinator and active primary school coordinator pilot programmes, the Scottish Executive provided sportscotland with a budget of £24 million to roll out the active schools element to more schools throughout Scotland.

North Lanarkshire Council took part in the active primary schools and school sports coordinator programmes in 2000-04 and were one of the first councils in Scotland to have a full team of coordinators in post when active schools was launched in 2004. The team consists of an active schools manager, 25 part-time active schools coordinators (secondary) and 21 full-time active schools coordinators (primary).

The role of active schools coordinators

Active schools is about more than getting school-aged children to take part in formal sport and exercise. Active schools also aims to introduce more physical activity into their daily lives through active travel, play, active classrooms and dance. As such, the physical activity and sport element of active schools links closely with a number of other key government initiatives – health promoting schools, eco schools and safer routes to schools, to name just a few – and is supported by a broad range of partners.
Key responsibilities:

• Ensure the effective integration of activity plans across the cluster and associated secondary school
• Develop, enhance and coordinate programmes of physical and sporting activity within their nominated cluster of schools
• Lead the recruitment and ongoing training of coaches, leaders and volunteers (in particular, young people) whilst providing ongoing training opportunities
• Develop and maintain effective partnerships at local and national level
• Monitor and report on the impact of active schools

Progress

Pupil participation numbers have increased dramatically during session 2006-07 in North Lanarkshire. Primary-age girls and boys have responded equally enthusiastically to opportunities to take part in traditional sports and to new initiatives such as Scottish dancing and skipping clubs. Over the last school year alone, active schools co-coordinators have supported the formation of 268 new after-school sport or physical activity clubs in primary schools and organised a range of festivals.

In addition to many cluster events and local area festivals, active schools staff run major events in cross-country, netball, triathlon, athletics and, road relays while supporting other festivals in conjunction with North Lanarkshire sports development officers. Secondary schools have also benefited from increased opportunities for young people to take part in dance clubs, workshops and festivals, resulting in growing participation amongst girls.

Almost all of the clubs have been run by volunteers. As well as teacher volunteers, senior pupils, students, community coaches and parents have been recruited and supported by active schools coordinators in both primary and secondary schools. When active schools was launched in August 2004, 187 volunteers were engaged in running 197 primary school clubs. Three years on, 461 volunteers helped with running 723 clubs.

Why volunteers?

Paying coaches to run activity sessions has its place, but developing a network of committed volunteers in conjunction with local community clubs is the most effective way of ensuring long-term sustainability. It also ensures that school pupils of all ages have the opportunity to take part, develop, and compete if they wish to, beyond school.

A significant volunteering development has been through the growing number of secondary schools offering sports leaders (formerly community sports leadership) awards. These courses, usually offered to S4-6 pupils, train young people to organise and deliver activity sessions for younger pupils that not only develops the students' confidence but also leads to opportunities to contribute effectively as volunteers in their cluster schools and at local events. Sports leaders is an initiative that has proved an effective catalyst linking across sectors and facilitating the growth of physical activity opportunities.

Active schools coordinators offer training to primary school staff and P6 pupils in playground games using a playground activity pack devised by the team. Playground leaders are now established in the majority of North Lanarkshire primary schools to ensure that structured play opportunities are available to as many pupils as possible. Young leaders awards with P6 or P7 pupils are now underway so that children are encouraged and equipped to volunteer from an early age and to have their work formally recognised.

Interested in volunteering?

Many opportunities are available through active schools for volunteers to work with children and young people in sport, subject to a satisfactory Disclosure Scotland check. Training and support is  given as required to ensure that the experience fulfils the aspirations of each volunteer and that safe, enjoyable and high quality activity is provided for all children and young people.

To register your interest in possible volunteering opportunities or for further information on active schools, please use the 'Contact Us' at the right hand side of the page.