SSP Alert!

Phew!

It’s the end of Term One already, can you believe it?!  But what a busy and eventful term it has been in the world of North Oxfordshire PE and school sport.

Believe!

We began September basking in the glory of Team GB’s successes in Rio and watching the amazing performances of our GB Paralympians.  Teachers across the Partnership were quick to use the images, stories and new found role models to help inspire, motivate and engage children in increased physical activity and sport and draw upon important life skills and values.

Local athletes compete at highest level

A number of North Oxfordshire’s high performing young athletes were engaged in their own elite Games in September.  Jade O’Dowda (Gosford Hill), Sebi Hartwell (Warriner) and Emily Thompson (Warriner) all competed in the national Level 4 School Games in Loughborough.  Sebi finished 4th in 400m, Emily gained silver in 800m and Jade achieved gold in 80m hurdles. Congratulations to all three!

Supporting Elite Performers

Steps to prepare the next generation of aspiring young athletes began in early October as we launched this year’s Junior Athlete Education (JAE) programme.  The series of six workshops, all tutored by an Elite Athlete Mentor, are designed to maximise the sporting and academic potential of our most talented students, by achieving a balanced lifestyle of training, competition, schoolwork, exams and family life.

This year we have 21 students from six of our secondary schools participating in the programme.

Growth Mindset and �FLEARNING�

Children from several of our primary schools have received a visit from former World Champion BMX rider Mike Mullen.  Mike has delivered inspiration talks in school assemblies, encouraging children to adopt a Growth Mindset towards the challenges they face, before leading action-packed practical sessions involving tricks, jumps, races and a demonstration from Mike.

One teacher said after an assembly led by Mike ‘That was the most inspiring and useful assembly I’ve ever witnessed’, so I think it’s fair to say that Mike has had quite an impact!

Supporting high quality Learning

Our Primary PE Mentors have been very active this term, supporting individual teachers to gain confidence and further improve teaching and learning, PE subject leaders to increase curriculum breadth and achieve high quality outcomes in PE, and schools in general to meet the aims and requirements of the PE and Sports Premium. 

In an exciting development, Mentors have increasingly been tasked with leading intervention classes, using PE, sport and physical activity to support wider school priorities.  They have worked with small groups of targeted children to improve maths, literacy, communication and relationship skills.

Competition and School Games Mark 2016

School Sport Coordinators have been equally busy delivering our comprehensive programme of inter-school sports competitions and festivals. The focus in term 1 has been on Year 1-6 cross-country, Years 3/4 football and Years 5/6 tag rugby.  So far over 2,600 children have taken part in cluster competitions, with the Partnership finals scheduled for next term.

During the term, schools across the Partnership were rewarded for their commitment to, and the development of, competition during 2015-16.  74% of partner schools gained School Games Mark 2016, significantly higher than national averages.  In total, 10 schools were awarded Gold, 18 Silver and 10 Bronze.  Eight schools moved from the Bronze award to Silver, one from Silver to Gold and three schools were awarded the School Games Mark for the first time.  A special mention should go to Brookside, King’s Meadow, Dr Radcliffe’s and Christopher Rawlins Primary schools who all achieved Gold status for the third year in a row!

Youth Sport Trust Quality Mark 2016

Schools have also once again received a national kitemark for their commitment to and achievements in PE, sport and physical activity through the Youth Sport Trust Quality Mark Award 2016.  This year a staggering 93% of partner primary schools achieved the award.  Seven schools were rewarded with the Gold kitemark, 30 Silver and three Bronze.

Pupils �Lead� the way!

Primary children were challenged to increase physical activity levels in their schools after attending one of two Young Workforce Conferences earlier this term.  The youngsters shared thoughts and ideas before splitting into three groups to train as Playground Leaders, School Sport Organising Crews or Change4Life Champions.  This is the second year that we have held such a Conference and following last year’s training 86% of schools embraced the Playground Leaders Programme, with over 650 children delivering lunchtime activities to younger peers.

This week we also hosted the Oxfordshire Young Leaders Conference for secondary aged pupils.  ‘Making School Sport Happen- To Inspire, To Coach, To Lead’ helped to further equip our committed Sports Leaders with the skills, knowledge and attitudes required to successfully deliver a range of School Games Competitions at Level 2 and Level 3.  Students from North Oxfordshire Academy, Blessed George Napier School, The Warriner School and The Cooper School were in attendance and left the day feeling truly inspired.

Half term hubs

It may be half term but that’s no excuse for being inactive.  Cherwell District Council is once again running it's Holiday Hubs programme for 5-15 year olds.  Activities will be taking place throughout the week at two local sites, North Oxfordshire Academy and The Cooper School.  For more information call 01295 221803 or visit www.cherwell.gov.uk/holidayactivities

Upcoming events

North Oxfordshire School Sport Partnership
Blessed George Napier Sports College

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