Twelve Aspire staff including PE co-ordinators and senior management from St Breock, Biscovey, St Minver, Padstow, St Stephen Churchtown, Treverbyn and Shortlanesend joined colleagues from around the country at last week’s YST National Conference on ‘Inspiring and Leading Change’ at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry. St Breock Primary in Wadebridge scooped ‘Highly Commended’ for outstanding primary school project as did their Head Denise Gladwell for her inspirational lead and commitment to PE and sport as a Head teacher Ambassador. 

The Youth Sport Trust, which focuses on using the power of sport to improve wellbeing, develop leadership skills and raise young people’s achievement, wants to ensure that PE is not cut from the curriculum and at primary level includes developing physical literacy and a love of movement.

The conference provided a wonderful opportunity to network and share best practice, discussing innovative ways to keep PE top of mind (even playing a key role in the teaching of maths!) and encourage children to be more physically active.  Workshops throughout the day highlighted what outstanding PE looks like and how schools can use PE as an engine for social mobility and change.  Key note speakers were Jez Rose a thought-leading behaviour expert, Chief Executive of the FA, Martin Glenn and Sir David Carter, National Schools Commissioner, who echoed the DfE’s earlier announcement of £415 million for capital facilities that could provide scope for more, and better, schools’ sports facilities.

Denise Gladwell, Head at St Breock Primary commented ‘It’s all about positioning PE as an integral part of the school day, rather than a bolt-on.  At primary level we are responsible for sowing the seed of a love for PE and school sport, an essential building block for a child’s physical and emotional wellbeing and development’.

Our PE co-ordinators will now disseminate their knowledge across the Aspire Academy Trust and continue to champion and develop PE and sport opportunities for every one of our 21 schools.  James Ross comments “From the meetings and networking over the two days we hope to introduce a couple of new innovative projects across the MAT, designed to make us stronger in this subject, and develop a robust CPD plan for next year”.