Annual Review 2018 – 19

ANNUAL REVIEW 2018 – 19

“Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair”

- Nelson Mandela -

Foreword…

2018-19 was a year of self-reflection for the Active Schools team, having completed the Insights Personality test. Understanding others and appreciating our differences was one of the key learnings. This programme helped us build valuable working relationships and a network of partners, allowing Active Schools to make the impact they have made this year.

The Active Schools team continue to work with and nurture senior pupils who officiate, coach, organise competitions, become Young Ambassadors who are our decision makers. Gaining relevant sports qualifications and valuable experience in delivery, the young people are able to Jude Salmon develop their employability skills. Active Schools Manager In today’s world we are affected by factors including stress, mental health, obesity and poverty. Taking part in sport and physical activity truly does make a difference to our lives and I hope that some of the stories you are about to read will illustrate this to you.

The phrase, ‘healthy body, healthy mind’ says it all. Our bodies were designed to move and when we keep them healthy, we have a better outlook on life, and on learning. The most wonderful part of keeping fit and healthy is that it is fun, but as this annual review shows, it can also open doors into future careers through volunteering and coaching. It is particularly good to see the values that Active Schools Edinburgh have at the heart of their work in schools – the same values and goals that teachers and officers are aiming for: we want all children to achieve their very best.

It is also great to see the extra focus for children and young people who live in difficult circumstances – sport really can be uplifting, no matter how good your level of skill – there is always something to be gained. Lorna Sweeney I am so pleased to see that the good work will continue next year. Well done Team Edinburgh! Service Manager Schools & Lifelong Learning

Active Schools place an importance on building relationships with staff and pupils in the school and are responsive to organisational challenges when delivering a broad programme of experiences.

They are innovative and willing to work in different ways to meet the needs of our unique school community. They are also proactive in creating effective partnerships with outside organisations such as the Scottish Volleyball Association to enable our pupils to gain high quality experiences in a wider community setting. Kevin Brack Head Teacher Brunstane Primary School

Throughout this academic year, the Edinburgh Active Schools team provided a range of quality opportunities for children and young people to participate in sport and physical activity, with an added focus around the provision of inclusive opportunities. The team have worked hard to understand the barriers to participation, and have successfully targeted girls and women, children and young people from areas of deprivation, and those with additional support needs. Kevin Ferguson Partnership Manager Sportscotland

Another impressive year for the Edinburgh Active Schools Team. A job well done! I can see that Edinburgh Active Schools are clear about their priorities and the challenges ahead and are focusing their time on ensuring physical activity and sporting opportunities are varied and offered to everyone.

David Bruce Service Manager Schools & Lifelong Learning

PROFILE & EVENTS

September November October December

January February

March May April June

@ActiveSchoolsEd 5

Games @ The Hub 2019

The Active Schools annual Games @ the Hub event took place with over 2,000 pupils taking part from 75 primary schools, including 4 special schools.

Get Active, Stay Active

Active Schools take great pleasure in hosting this fantastic event with the support of the schools across the city and our sports clubs and volunteers that make the day possible.

The aim is to celebrate Active Schools by inspiring young people to take part in physical activity and sport and motivate them to continue staying active.

This citywide event, where all Edinburgh Primary Schools invited to participate in a

number of sports and bring up to 3 teams of 10 pupils. The sports including;

Athletics, Basketball, Boccia, Cricket, Dance, Football, Hockey, Lacrosse, Netball,

Orienteering Rugby, Swimming, Ultimate Frisbee and Volleyball.

Volunteers

The strong partnerships Active Schools have with governing bodies, local colleges, local community clubs and schools form the foundation of this event. Volunteers are sourced from these key stakeholders, who deliver in the extra- curricular programmes across the city and support many events including Games @ the Hub.

Over 100 volunteers are recruited to help on the day.

Our guests this year included;

Alistair Gaw (Executive Director, Communities & Families), Councillor Gavin Corbett, Councillor Claire Bridgman, Tommy George (Edinburgh Leisure), Michael McGhee (Headteacher, St. Augustine’s), Kevin Ferguson & Bob Wylie (Sportscotland)

Para Sport Festival

We were delighted to welcome Lord Provost Frank Ross to the Para Sport Festival, held at the Forrester/St Augustine Campus. The annual event is in collaboration with Scottish Disability Sport with significant input from Lothian Disability Sport & Edinburgh Leisure.

During his visit the Lord Provost had the opportunity to meet young people with visual / hearing impairments & physical impairments trying out a range of para sports.

The day was supported by several Scottish Governing Bodies & local inclusive clubs. Sports included Badminton, Boccia, Cycling (tandem), Goalball, ‘Hugby’ (Rugby for visually impaired people), Swimming, Tennis, Volleyball & Wheelchair Basketball. The Q&A sessions were welcomed current sporting stars to provide insights into their journey as athletes. Scottish Borders swimmer Beth Johnston (Galashiels) & Edinburgh based Josh Manson (Wheelchair Basketball) answered a host of questions from the participants.

• Year on year growth since its inception in 2012 demonstrates the strong partnership working between Active Schools and National Governing Bodies for Disability Sport.

• 87 school-aged pupils with a physical, visual or hearing impairment from across the East of Scotland attended the event.

• The event provided pathways with disability community sports clubs for any young people who were keen to access regular sporting opportunities. “We love this event, my daughter slowly comes out

of her shell and it's great to see her participating in • There was a 19% increase in participants from last year sport alongside her peers”

Parent

The Active Schools Day of Dance SHOWCASED the extra-curricular dance groups from across Edinburgh. Children had the opportunity to perform for parents, carers, families, teachers and other guests at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.

The Active Schools team and dance partners ran 3 dance shows over the day which incorporated 4 neighbourhoods. Every school in Edinburgh was “It was an amazing opportunity for my invited, with 80+ schools and 1600 children participating, supported by over 30 volunteers. daughter to perform in such a fantastic venue. Something she will never forget” Parent

Pupils from P1 to S6 were given the opportunity to perform dance routines to an audience of around 900 spectators

Volunteers from Live It Dance, Edinburgh Dance Academy (EDA), Dance Division, Step it Up, Starpic Dance and a number of The Story independent instructors came together (Cut to the chase…don’t enlarge my box or change the with school volunteers and Active Schools font size ) Co-ordinators to make the event possible.

Dance remains the second most popular activity in Active Schools Edinburgh. Having the ability to showcase their learning is certainly a big reason for pupils continuing to show dedication and commitment throughout the term.

So, what’s the big deal?

AKA Impact – but we don’t mention that word here …shhhh!

School Sport heads to Portobello Beach! The popular City of Edinburgh Beach Games was once again delivered by fantastic partnerships between Active Schools, the Sports Development Team, Governing Bodies and volunteers from prominent Edinburgh Sports Clubs and Edinburgh College.

The event was a culmination of the year-long School Sport Edinburgh Programme which aims to provide an increased number of ‘first’ sporting competition opportunities for those new or recently new to participation.

Athletics, Cricket, Football, Netball, Rugby, Tennis and Beach Volleyball competitions allowed a wide range of schools and pupils to participate in an The Beach Games enabled 628 pupils in S1- event which celebrated enjoyment of the physical S3 from 15 City of Edinburgh Secondary and mental health benefits that sport can bring. School to demonstrate and apply a number of movement skills and strategies, creatively and accurately across a wide of range of sports competition.

Pupils continued to develop and sustain their levels of fitness while contributing to the enjoyable, safe, supportive and inclusive environment the Beach Games promotes.

Combining access to one of Edinburgh’s superb outdoor spaces, with participation in physical activity, is a model for increasing positive physical and mental health experiences for all who attend.

“The Beach Games was meticulously organised and another very worthwhile experience for all that attended”

(High School Curricular Leader in Health & Action from the Beach Netball Wellbeing)

COLLABORATION

The Community Sport Hubs across the city offer physical activity and sport opportunities for local people. Local clubs aim to increase opportunities for communities to become more active.

The seven City of Edinburgh school-based Sport Hubs have had a busy year. Engaging with clubs, supporting community events and delivering successful projects and programmes.

The projects have ranged from Women & Girls Partnership working has been key to the swimming, Syrian Refugee swimming, walking success of many Hub programmes and netball sessions, table tennis for the elderly and projects. Clubs, community groups, many more excellent club-community partnership programmes. charities and health partnerships work together to increase physical activity opportunities for all ages and abilities.

“I found the whole experience very much The positive social, physical and emotional welcoming, relaxing and informative. The impacts of physical activity are significant teachers and students were fantastic and whether that be getting out of the house, enthusiastic in teaching, nothing was a bother meeting new team mates or friends or to them. They made the whole experience for learning a new activity. The Hubs really do me something I thoroughly enjoyed and as a result I am more determined than ever to cater for all ages, from an 89 year old continue learning to swim” swimmer getting back in the pool to a walking netballer who hadn’t played the Jeanette (aged 57) sport for 60 years, or a lady who hadn’t played table tennis for 40 year. The camaraderie and social benefits are huge.

Volleyball participation levels in the James Gillespie’s cluster have spiked (pun intended) thanks to a gold- volleyball participants – standard sportscotland ‘Community Sports Hub’ double last year’s figure Club called NUVOC.

The secret to their success lies in the commitment of their volunteer leaders, the development of senior pupils coaching young coaches, and strong partnerships with the at High School and Primary Schools Physical Education Physical Active and Sport (PEPAS) representatives and Active Schools Coordinator.

new players with a Last year it was Royal Mile Primary School who pathway into NUVOC benefitted from NUVOC’s investment with new Volleyball Club sessions supported by Scottish Volleyball’s development officer and local government funding. This year a similar programme sprang to

“Our volleyball players are so dedicated life at Preston Street Primary School, whilst a new and this is demonstrated by their cluster club session at the James Gillespie’s High unwavering attendance to training” School created a smooth pathway for young people to transition from extra-curricular to P.E. Teacher (James Gillespie’s High School) competitive sport.

The project was funded through Sportscotland Go Live, Get Active funding and involved partnership work with The Welcoming Charity, Active Schools, Edinburgh Leisure, Hearts ASC, #3 Triathlon Club and Aquatic Learning.

A weekly session was established born from feedback from local refugee families who 70% Learned to swim wanted to swim in a closed woman only 55% Children learnt to swim environment.

70% Active/Fitter/Healthier Opportunities to lifeguard and swim teach 40% Lost Weight at these sessions were provided to young female volunteers. Four Royal High School 90% Met New People pupils and 1 Broughton High School pupil 55% Attended new activities in Edinburgh took up the opportunity and received their 80% Improved their English Level 1 Swim Teacher and National Pool Lifeguard qualifications as a result. 70% Increased their confidence

70% More confident traveling by bus in Edinburgh

72 Distinct Participants 23 Adults (Female) 49 Children (23 Boys and 26 Girls)

Increased confidence in the water Increased opportunity to make friends and family connections Increased enjoyment of being in Edinburgh Increased confidence to travel in Edinburgh and to the RHS CSH Increased access to more sports /activities/ facilities in the local area Increased opportunities to progress to club and EL swimming sessions

Cramond Primary and Active Schools have been working closer than ever over the last two years. Separate school-based activities and the Active Schools programme have now become one – meaning a one-stop shop for all parents and carers.

There has also been a pupil sports council established at the school which has resulted in fantastic pupil feedback on sport and activity at the school.

This has also contributed towards Cramond Primary School applying for their Gold School Sport Award through sportscotland. The school await the result of this with anticipation.

Cramond Primary have gone from 39% of pupils in 2017 participating in physical activity to 56% of pupils in 2019 over the full year.

This has been down to the positive collaboration with the school, creating a sports council and managing to engage more pupils in sport and physical activity.

“Cramond has always been a sporty school, but now we have the evidence to prove it.“ Cramond Primary School Teacher (Cramond Primary School) (Sports Council)

Display from Broughton High School Gymnastics Broughton High School Club during Septemberfest Community Sports Hub in partnership with the Broughton Parent Council hosted the 6th Septemberfest on Saturday 29th September 2018.

A massive community event brought local businesses, people and clubs in to the Community Sports Hub for a day of fun and trying new sports. Eight Community Sports Clubs provided the local people with tasters in Tae Kwon Do, Lacrosse, Athletics, Roller Skating, Gymnastics, Netball, Table Tennis and Dance.

Septemberfest has been a great way for the Community Sports Hub Clubs to interact with the local community and promote what clubs have to offer on their door step.

“Such a great day to see what sports my child could attend in the evening that are so close to our house! We will be back to try out the free tasters in the next couple of weeks”

Local parent

Active Schools AND Boroughmuir High School Senior Management worked together to put on a Sports Transition Day at the start of the P7 Transition Week.

All 260 new S1 pupils met their classmates for the first time in a relaxed and informal setting. Pupils were organised into groups of 26 and spent 30 minutes sessions doing a variety of sports, including Hockey, Rugby, Volleyball and American Football. All the activities are on offer as lunchtime or after-school clubs in the school, and were led by coaches who support the extra- “This is a great way to introduce our curricular programme. new S1 pupils to their peer group and for them to try out the excellent range of sports on offer when they join us in August”

Juliet Presly (Depute Head Teacher) Pupils making the move from primary to high school got to know their new classmates in a

relaxed setting and experienced the wide range of extra-curricular sports on offer at the High School.

At portobello High School the cluster P7’s were invited to take part in a 4-week after-school programme during the month of May.

96 pupils from the feeder Primaries signed up and got involved in activities including Basketball, Dance, Girls Football, Judo, Netball, Rugby and Volleyball.

All clubs were delivered by PE staff and Club coaches who would be delivering the activities when the P7 pupils returned to the High School after the Summer break.

Saturday 22nd September saw the inaugural Southfest event held at Liberton High School. The weather was definitely booked with the sun out ready to welcome everybody to the event.

There was everything from bouncy castles, face painters and nerf gun wars (courtesy of Foam Dart Thunder) to various sports such as volleyball, judo, tae kwon do, cheerleading and dance performances from Live It Dance Studios.

The whole school seemed to have something to offer. “It was such a well organised day and so much The Library had a professional story teller and fun for the family” programmable robots, the canteen provided science experiments, arts and crafts, languages and Chinese Parent paper cutting, the social area was buzzing with lots of local initiatives and businesses, and the assembly hall was alive with performances from the fantastic High School musicians.

An event would not be complete without food, which was provided by the amazing Liberton High School Association, who were run off their feet all day with a bustling café and bake sale.

Overall, a tremendous day with over 750 people coming through the gates to support a new local event and celebrate the 60th year of the school; hopefully we can go from strength to strength in future.

“Our collaborative School Sport events offer participants an inclusive taste of healthy competition”

Jonathan Wallace (School Sport Edinburgh Co-Ordinator)

The sportscotland School Sport Award is a National Lottery funded initiative designed to encourage schools to continuously improve PE and school sport opportunities.

Good luck to our 4 schools who applied for Gold this year:

Longstone PS St Francis RC PS Cramond PS Queensferry HS

DEVELOPING WORKFORCE

Active Schools made links with Murrayfield Memorial Table Tennis Club who were keen to get involved in the West of Edinburgh Schools. Lindsay Muir, (Volunteer Community Development Worker), was able to provide Wester Hailes Education Centre with 6 Table Tennis Tables along with quality bats and balls.

Every Tuesday lunch time there are were to 20 children who came along to the Table Tennis Club. This fun club with high quality coaching for S1-S3 pupils, has taught them new skills and techniques to speed up and improve their table tennis.

Subsequently, a time slot has now been negotiated for a Table Tennis coach to deliver a

P6-7 club in Canal View Primary School.

A fun club for many primary and secondary pupils who don’t see themselves as ‘sporty’.

This club is great for our more vulnerable pupils who find it challenging to mix and make friends. The relationships fostered during this specific club with having a fun “This club is really good fun and is a change game of table tennis is very positive. from just walking around the school grounds at lunch time”

Jessica (S2 Pupil)

Nicki Matthew moved back to Edinburgh this year and was determined to get involved with the Active Schools programme in the Trinity cluster.

Nicki has a background of coaching Athletics and has achieved her UKA Level 3 qualification. Resolved to continue this path, she decided to step into the gap in the programme and run her own club in the school. However, one school for Nicki was not enough, she wanted to expand to an extra club and a new school. More impressively, Nicki isn’t a parent at either school. Her child attends a different school in the cluster however was keen to allow her to integrate into

her new school without having mum embarrass her.

Since Nicki got involved with Active Schools, Nicki has been welcomed by staff, pupils and both Trinity and Wardie Primary Schools have parents at both schools, who are delighted to had fully booked Athletics clubs at no cost to have her continue developing the young people pupils. 30 pupils taking part in athletics each through a variety of athletics events. She is an week and over 50 since her arrival in integral part of the Active Schools programme February 2019. and the community. Athletics had not been part of the recent Active Schools programme in the cluster but now we have two schools with the sport on offer. “I love to see children’s confidence grow, the improvement the children make as individuals and Both schools took part in a survey at the end as a team. It’s so rewarding and working with the of the year to determine what they would like children is just great.” in their Active Schools programme and due to the popularity of Nicki’s sessions, Athletics Nicki Matthew (Parent Volunteer) scored incredibly high.

The Portobello Panthers Netball Club Initially started as a Sunday morning Active Schools club in partnership with Edinburgh University Netball Club.

An appeal was made to parents and members of the local community to establish the first Netball Club in the East of the City.

Linsay Brassington along with Jenny Veitch (Duddingston parents) and Katy Longstaff

(Parsons Green parent) volunteered to drive the club forward.

They have now established a committee of 8 The East of the City now has a netball club for volunteers and have registered with Netball local pupils to join. The variety of activities Scotland. They are setting up a club website available at the Portobello Community Sports and are looking to enter the CENA Netball Hub has increased as a result. League for next season.

Pupils now have the opportunity to take their The sessions are open to all P6-S5’s and the netball further and join a formalised netball committee are already looking at additional league where they can put their training into hall space to allow the club to grow further. practice.

The club has increased to 30 junior members “We just wanted to give local children (and growing) and held a very successful parent the opportunity to thrive in a & child session with over 50 people in attendance at the end of the last block. community Netball Club”

Parents

Jamie Terris arrived at Craigmount PE Department in August 2018 and immediately went about getting involved with the wider life of the school.

Across the year he led on 3 different extra-curricular clubs, offering the Craigmount High School pupils opportunities in basketball, hockey and athletics. He arranged a number of matches for the senior basketball teams, as well as supporting Craigmount’s involvement in Edinburgh School Sport Competitions for Volleyball and Table Tennis. In addition, he took the lead on Craigmount’s participation in the National Giant Heptathlon and Edinburgh Beach Games.

Out-with the PE department, Jamie also assisted all year at the school breakfast club, ensuring that all the students were supported throughout the school day.

Jamie started up the basketball club at school from scratch and had around 50 players involved across the year. This allowed the school to arrange several fixtures to give the players a taste of competition that hadn’t previously been available to them. When another teacher was on long term leave, Jamie didn’t hesitate to step in to ensure the school hockey sessions continued to take place. “Getting involved with teams and In addition, his drive and enthusiasm ensured school extra-curricular clubs gives me the participation in a range of different events across the year, chance to get to know young opening many opportunities for students to participate and people on a more informal level, compete. helping to forge relationships and provide opportunities for performance development and participation in sport and exercise”

Jamie Terris (PE Teacher Craigmount)

Kerry Ireland has been working as a Pupil Support Assistant at Duddingston Primary School since 2001.

She immediately established a Basketball Club in the school and as well as weekly training sessions she has taken them to all EPSSA and Active Schools tournaments as well as many other friendlies and tournaments.

She runs 2 clubs each year - one club for a

competitive team and one for children who “Kerry is the heart and essence of our just want the opportunity to play and be school. She goes out of her way to enable involved in basketball at a non-competitive our pupils to access as many opportunities level. as possible.” Kerry has also organised and ran the Cycle Karen Morris (Headteacher) Training at Duddingston for the last 6 years. She has fundraised for additional bikes to ensure that children of all ages can take part in the training regardless of their financial backgrounds and has made close ties with the Edinburgh Bike Station.

If you ever see a Duddingston pupil at any school activity opportunity you can guarantee Kerry is somewhere in the background helping make it possible.

Over 600 pupils have been able to enjoy and take part in Basketball at Duddingston Primary School thanks to the club Kerry runs.

Many former Duddingston pupils continue to build on their Basketball experience in S1 at Portobello High School

Over 300 pupils have gone through their Bikeability Level 1 and a further 300 pupils have achieved their Bikeability Level 2 as a result of the training organised and delivered by Kerry.

Stephania Adam started volunteering with Active Schools at Clovenstone Primary School in January 2019. Stephania has a background in dance but had never coached dance. Instantly Stephania was a hit with the dance club and the school. She coached up to 15 pupils and completed 3 different dance routines in hip hop and street dance. Stephania is a 2nd year student at Napier University and studying to become a PE teacher. She is enjoying coaching the children so much she is coming back in the new school year, so they can participate in the Wester “Being a volunteer really links to my Hailes dance show at Christmas. This was university studies and provides great after the success of the children showcasing examples to write about” their dance to the school and local Stephania Adam (Dance Teacher) community at the summer tea party.

15 children participated in dance and helped to choreograph dance routines and select music.

Children participated in community and cluster dance shows, build confidence and resilience.

Student volunteers recruited by Active Schools this year.

Nicole, Mateusz and Sourav are 3 former Holy Rood RCHS pupils with a passion for volleyball. For Mateusz and Sourav their journey started in S6 as a participant in the volleyball session set up by Mrs Klos (PE Teacher).

Nicole left Holy Rood a few years ago and her university course brought her back to the school to complete her volunteer placement. Nicole coaches for NUVOC Volleyball Club, where she creates a pathway between the school and club sessions.

Since Mrs Klos moved to another school, together they have continued the great work and dedicated their time to deliver 2 weekly sessions for S1-6 pupils and attend the School Sport Edinburgh Festivals with the team this academic year.

Above this they have supported the high school sports day and been out to the cluster primary school to provide taster sessions during health weeks.

“It has been amazing to lead the volleyball session together and continue what Mrs Klos started. We have enjoyed teaching the pupils new skills” These former pupils are a strong team and Former Pupils (Holy Rood RCHS) together have great ambition and drive to continue to provide the pupils as many volleyball opportunities as possible. They have helped complete the MAC Volley funding application to purchase a new indoor and outdoor net to grow the extra-curricular activity and for the school to introduce this into the curriculum. Upon receiving the grant, they have been able to host one of the School Sport Edinburgh Volleyball Festivals with the full games hall set up.

Furthermore, the outdoor net during the summer term at two of our feeder primary school Health Weeks and during our S1-3 sport day.

LEADERSHIP

This year has seen another two S4 year pupils step up to become a voice for sport in every high school across the city, including our special schools. As well as the annual residential trip and organising the fantastic fundraisers (pictured), Edinburgh Young Ambassador Team (YA) placed a big focus this year on sharing best practice.

The photo on the left shows Amy from Gracemount High School presenting to her citywide peers on how to break down barriers to participating in high school sport. This is one of a number of presentations from our citywide meetings where YA’s shared what they have been doing in their own schools, to help generate ideas

for others to take back to their own sports “Regularly meeting with YA’s from other councils. nearby schools has given us inspiration and ideas to take back to try out in our One of the workshops completed on the own school!” residential trip focused on public speaking so it has been brilliant to see these new skills put into Young Ambassador practice at the meetings while also generating discussion.

The number one piece of feedback we receive from the Young Ambassadors every year is that they enjoy coming together as a citywide group. Meeting regularly with pupils from other schools opens up the YA’s minds to new ideas as well as realising the challenges faced by pupils in other schools/areas.

Giving pupils the platform to bounce off each other and use the skills they have developed throughout the year is the aim of these citywide meetings, as well as the chance to make new friends along the way. The key skills taken from these meetings are improved self-confidence, leadership qualities and finding ways to overcome barriers.

The Inaugural City of Edinburgh Coach Academy recruited its first ever intake.

With the aim of creating an increased number of opportunities for young people to develop their leadership and employability skills, Active Schools Coordinators, School Sport Coordinators, Sports Development and Community Sport Hub (CSH) team worked collectively to develop a year-long menu of activity.

From the initial team building induction, development and volunteering day, multi skills training courses, through to the end of year Coach Education Week, participants were mentored by their key staff contact. “It was a really good fun experience. I Each participant was able to demonstrate the learned a lot about coaching [and] I’m development of their coaching and leadership by happy I had the opportunity to do that.” volunteering across several Active Schools, School Sport, Sports Development, CSH clubs and events. (Participating Pupil)

53 participants from 18 City of Edinburgh Council Secondary Schools were recruited to the programme, allowing each to demonstrate the skills to lead, recognise strengths and contribute to a positive coaching environment.

Each pupil also had a variety of opportunities to experience different roles and take responsibility in organising events.

All participants had the opportunity to attend training courses available to all Active Schools Volunteers throughout the year. Access to a free funded place on one of 5 courses during our Coach Education Week was offered.

48 people attended a course in either Disability Inclusion Training, Lifeguarding, Netball Scotland Leader Qualification, Basketball Scotland “Make it Happen” Course and Tennis Scotland Leader Qualification.

INCLUSION

The Active Schools workforce have had the opportunity to engage in a range of training opportunities with strong links being formed with Additional Support for Learning Services including Downs Syndrome Awareness, Autism Awareness and an Introduction to Signalong. Additional courses have included UK Disability & Inclusion Training and Inclusive Dance.

Partnership Work

Active Schools continue to have a positive working relationship with Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) and Lothian Disability Sort (LDS) which has seen partnership working on a range of areas increasing ASN Clubs in mainstream opportunities for children with Additional Support schools

Needs (ASN)/disabilities either as direct interventions ASN clubs have continued to be a positive way including the Regional Para Sport Festival, Wheelchair of engaging with children with ASN within the Sports sessions and supporting workforce Continued mainstream setting. These have included clubs Personal Development (CPD). in: St Thomas of Aquins RCHS, Gracemount PS After School Club, South East Cluster ASN multi sports cluster club, Drummond CHS, Holy Rood

RC HS, South Queensferry HS & Cluster, The “I feel I’ve got a much wider range of dance Royal HS and Tynecastle HS

approaches that I can use in my school (following Inclusive Dance CPD)” Inclusive Dance Development with Sharon Humble, Oaklands Edinburgh Dance Academy

Following a successful application made to City of Edinburgh Sport and Activity fund all special schools received dance delivery by EDA in Term 2. This led to Special School Dance Show hosted by Oaklands School. Following this initiative EDA has established ASN dance sessions within their programme.

P5-p7 Girls at st catherine’s rcps and S1 girls at Gracemount High School were fortunate to attend a presentation with Amanda Fraser from ‘Let’s Give Sport Back to the Girls’ at a Positive Destinations event.

The aim of the project is to consult with the girls about how physically active they are and what barriers stop them from participating. This was achieved through the presentation and Amanda was also able to gather feedback through questionnaires and further discussion.

Feedback will be shared with the schools to help The project has highlighted how important shape the future direction of the sport/physical physical activity is in our day-to-day lives. activity programmes to further encourage girls to take part. It reinforced to the girls the positive benefits the body gets both mentally and physically. It also gave them belief that their own personal barriers could be broken down and therefore they were encouraged to participate in more sport/physical activity than their current levels.

“Be honest, speak up!” Amanda Fraser

Forrester High School, Active Schools and the Community Sport Hub worked together on a project to give girls the opportunity to try new activities on Active Girls Day on Friday 5th October.

150 girls from Forrester High (S1) and Broomhouse, Carrick Knowe, Gylemuir and Murrayburn Primaries (P7) took part in the Active Girls Day.

They took part in the following activities: • Roller Disco with United sk8 • Judo with Jidel Judo • Rugby led by a Forrester High School Young Ambassador “This was a fantastic event for girls to • Glow stick aerobics led by a Forrester HS Girls have the opportunity to try new Ambassador activities. My daughter loved the Judo • Cheerleading with Capital All Stars and wants to continue it with the club.” • Netball with West Edinburgh Netball Club

Parent of a P7 pupil

New girls activities have been set up after the event and we have continued to speak to girls about activities they would like to take part in.

Girls participation in P7 rose by 5% immediately following the event.

This has risen by a further 11% in Term 3, with continued focus on listening to what activities girls want and putting on programmes which will encourage them to take part.

Broughton High School Community Sports Hub were delighted to welcome MSP Maree Todd to the Active Schools after school clubs on Friday 4th October to celebrate sportscotland’s Active Girls Day.

The Broughton Cluster, along with local clubs, offer a wide range of activities for girls and it was great to highlight the Cluster Primary and High School Hockey, Cluster Primary and High School Gymnastics and the Flora Stevenson Primary Netball Clubs to the Councillor.

City of Edinburgh Gymnastics and Inverleith The work local clubs, schools and Active Swifts Netball club support the delivery of these Schools do to encourage girls to become clubs which encourages 800 pupils to be active more active was highlighted before, during and after school with girls making up 59% of the attendees in the Broughton Active Schools Programme last year.

“It’s great to see so many Active School Clubs at Broughton High School celebrating Scottish Women in Sport Week”

Michelle Livingston (sportscotland Partnership Manager)

Girls from 10 different schools participated in skills sessions, led by players from the Caledonia Pride Women’s British Basketball League squad, before participating in some fun 4 v 4 games at the Crags Sports Centre in September 2018.

There were also club coaches from the City of Edinburgh basketball club and Boroughmuir Blaze basketball club in attendance.

The event was introduced due to the number of girls participating with boys in EPSSA basketball events but often being overlooked during the games. The intention was that by having a girls only event they “What an amazing opportunity they had. would see more ball-time which in turn would Holly is really inspired to play basketball motivate them further and bring another level of enjoyment to playing basketball. again but didn’t have any interest before the session.”

Parent

The aim of the festival was for P6 & 7 girls to increase their confidence and competence in basketball, develop skills and game experience.

Coached by female coaches and professional female players who started playing when they were the same age and are positive role models now.

Every school pupil who attended the festival received free tickets to watch Caledonia Pride play their first game of the season in Women’s British Basketball League at the Pleasance, Edinburgh University.

Everyone had a great time and we hope the event inspired some of the girls to continue participating in basketball.

Female sport in the Gillespie’s cluster has gained increasing momentum over the past year. In September the High School appointed its first ever Girls’ Ambassador, and both new Young Ambassador recruits were also female. All three pupils also experienced leading and volunteering in sport through Active Schools events such as ‘Girls’ Day Out’.

Four other female seniors started coaching girls’ basketball and volleyball respectively, whilst an S4 girl completed her NLPQ qualification supported by Active Schools and began coaching the water polo team.

All the female members of the P.E. department volunteer their time to coach various sports teams, and this commitment is reflected by the dedication of the female athletes they are inspiring.

Further impact was seen in the Primary schools in the cluster, where for the first time at James Gillespie’s Primary School more girls than boys participated in Active Schools clubs (68 vs. 64). New girls’ tennis and football sessions involved local community clubs and combined fresh opportunities to get active with a pathway to progress into competition has also made an impact.

“The girls just love it (having a female-only session), the coach is great and they hope to bring along some more of their friends.”

Cluster girls’ football parent

Girls Triathlon was delivered to P6-7 girls from Broomhouse Primary School as part of the girls’ programme. Which involves pupils receiving an extra hour of sport and physical activity every week. Twenty-seven girls took part in the Triathlon block which included cycling, swimming and running. The sessions ended with the girls taking part in a Duathlon.

The programme was made possible with great partnership work involving volunteers from Triathlon Scotland, Pentland Triathletes, Hearts Swim Club as well as senior pupils from the club and Forrester HS.

“Triathlon has been brilliant. I have loved trying a new sport that I have never done before. I would like to join the Triathlon club now!”

P7 girl

A new Girls Triathlon club is being set up for the cluster following the success of this programme. This will be included as part of the Active Schools programme and will be delivered by Pentland Triathletes coaches in partnership with Triathlon Scotland.

Go Live Get Active is a sportscotland funded initiative which supports the Community Sport Hub programme at Forrester/ St Augustine’s High School offering pupils who are in Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) 1-2 the opportunity to learn to swim.

In partnership with Hearts Swim Club 20 free places have been provided for pupils from Murrayburn and St Joseph’s Primary Schools.

These P3-7 pupils are identified by the school Pupil Equity Fund (PEF) co-ordinators and the primary swim specialists.

Hearts Swim Club provide a Level 2 Swim teacher so that the programme is completely free and accessible to all. There is an agreement to continue this commitment in the new academic This project was set up due to the success year. of the initial programme where 16 Broomhouse pupils were given free places in the programme and the primary swim “This is a fantastic programme, Stuart is a specialists commented that the programme great teacher and my son is loving the made a huge difference to the standard of lessons. Such a great opportunity for him the curricular swimming that he wouldn’t have had otherwise – This programme is making swimming thank you!” accessible to those who would not be able to access lessons. Parent Murrayburn PS

Pupils taking part in the programme have progressed massively from being non- swimmers to now being competent swimmers.

the Forrester High School cluster introduced this new programme to encourage pupils to be more Active and recognising their efforts to stay active.

Pupils completed a ‘Get Active’ card which explained the benefits of activity and encouraged them to be more active on a regular basis throughout the year. The children and teachers completed the cards and handed them in to the school office each term.

The Sports representative pupil groups in each school then identified ‘Active Champions’ who received a t-shirt at the Get Active assembly. There were also trophies for Most Active Year The Sports Reps in each school took Group and Most Active Teacher. responsibility for the programme, identified the Active Champions and

teachers each term and led the Get Active

“The Get Active programme is great because assembly. Active Schools and the schools the whole school can get involved in encourage pupils to take on leadership encouraging pupils to be active. The Sports roles as young decision makers. Reps leading the project gain a great Get Active linked to the Building Resilience opportunity to develop their leadership skills.” programme which the schools delivered Pupil Support Assistant for Health and Wellbeing and involved a whole school approach to encourage pupils to Get Active and lead projects in their schools.

Active Schools would like to thank all the partners for their support in helping provide sport and physical activity opportunities for all the pupils in Edinburgh.

Active Schools Team

We look forward to continuing to

https://www.joininedinburgh.org/sports/active-schools/