Fit to Succeed - Toolkit - Case Studies
CASE STUDY 1
Tiverton – a small self-contained town with one main secondary school and eleven feeder primary schools. Its activity network includes one main leisure centre and a number of sports clubs and organisations that offer opportunities for activity for young people.
The schools had previously agreed to be a control sample for the Exeter project which stimulated a high degree of interest amongst the headteachers. The group also used the services of the same Professional Consultant employed by Exeter schools, who was a member of the Exeter Fit to Succeed Management group. This strong leadership allowed a rapid take up of the project and enabled local agencies, who were very keen to be involved, to be integrated instantly. Positive guidance, based on the Exeter experiences and firm commitment from headteachers has proved extremely beneficial.
Funding was secured to release a member of the PE staff from the secondary school for one day a week to work with the primary schools and to act as the coordinator for the project.
The Tiverton management team includes:
The local Sports Development Officer has been a key partner locally and has supplemented the time that the coordinator has been able to devote to the schools by channelling requested new opportunities for activity into the project. She has responded positively to requests to help pool resources, particularly for the smaller schools and has provided identified taster sessions and training sessions for prospective coaches for new activities.
There are plans to involve Year 11 students, who are pursuing their ‘Young Leaders Award’, in the project by linking their practical work with activity sessions in the primary schools. This will provide the older pupils with real opportunities to develop their skills for leadership and good ‘active’ role models the younger pupils.
Other activity sessions that have been planned in conjunction with the project include:-
Tiverton – a small self-contained town with one main secondary school and eleven feeder primary schools. Its activity network includes one main leisure centre and a number of sports clubs and organisations that offer opportunities for activity for young people.
The schools had previously agreed to be a control sample for the Exeter project which stimulated a high degree of interest amongst the headteachers. The group also used the services of the same Professional Consultant employed by Exeter schools, who was a member of the Exeter Fit to Succeed Management group. This strong leadership allowed a rapid take up of the project and enabled local agencies, who were very keen to be involved, to be integrated instantly. Positive guidance, based on the Exeter experiences and firm commitment from headteachers has proved extremely beneficial.
Funding was secured to release a member of the PE staff from the secondary school for one day a week to work with the primary schools and to act as the coordinator for the project.
The Tiverton management team includes:
- Headteacher representative
- Coordinator of the Academic Council. (Consultant)
- SHEU representative
- Mid-Devon Sport Development Officer
- Mid-Devon Leisure Officer
- Mid-Devon PCT representative
- Fit to Succeed coordinator
The local Sports Development Officer has been a key partner locally and has supplemented the time that the coordinator has been able to devote to the schools by channelling requested new opportunities for activity into the project. She has responded positively to requests to help pool resources, particularly for the smaller schools and has provided identified taster sessions and training sessions for prospective coaches for new activities.
There are plans to involve Year 11 students, who are pursuing their ‘Young Leaders Award’, in the project by linking their practical work with activity sessions in the primary schools. This will provide the older pupils with real opportunities to develop their skills for leadership and good ‘active’ role models the younger pupils.
Other activity sessions that have been planned in conjunction with the project include:-
- Orienteering: training of staff and construction of courses in each school plus joint schools session at the Knightshayes course.
- Development of cycle routes for the whole town in conjunction with the Devon Highways department, cycle training, BMX sessions and assistance with making bids for safe bike storage at schools. Links have been made with the county ‘Travelplan’ coordinator in an effort to afford real opportunities to encourage young people to walk and cycle to school.
- Family Swimming. Saturday evening sessions, once a month, have been negotiated with the new Exe Valley Leisure Centre. The Academic Council and the PCT will fund the initial sessions for parents and children and then reduced rates will be charged. It is intended to include other activities in the future.
- Links with local clubs. Welcome sessions at Clubs for potential participants supported by ‘buddies’ from their own schools and in-school coaching.
- Extension of the ‘Tiverton Challenge’. This town-based walk in late June provides Year 6 pupils a rigorous but achievable experience which not only provides healthy exercise but provides opportunities for pupils from different schools to meet and take part in activities together just before they transfer to Tiverton High School.