In April 2000, the Government published its sports strategy A Sporting Future for All. From this dawned the Physical Education School Sport and Club Links Strategy (PESSCL). Since 2002 the Government has invested a massive 1.5 billion into this Strategy:
The purpose of the programme is to increase sports opportunities for more young people through co-ordinated PE, school sport and out-of-school-hours learning activities that link with local community sports facilities and development programmes.
School Sports Partnerships (SSPs) are a network of FE Colleges, secondary, primary and special schools that work together to enhance the quality of sporting opportunities, through the curriculum, Out of School Hours Learning, inter-school competitions and school to club links; based around a ‘hub’ Sports College. In Warrington there are two SSPs, involving every school in the authority. These two networks collaborate closely in order to realise a shared vision for School Sport across the town.
School Sport Partnerships Network
In September 2007 the Government’s 2008 PSA target of ‘85% of 5 – 16 year olds spending at least 2 hours in high quality PE and School sport’ was reached! As a result a new challenge is in the process of being set for 2008 – 2011:
The 5 Hour Children & Young People’s Sports Offer (the 5 Hr Offer)
‘In addition to at least 2 hours per week of high quality PE and Sport in school for 5 – 16 year olds, all children and young people aged 5 – 19 will be offered opportunities to participate in a further 3 hours per week of sporting activities provided through schools, FE Colleges, clubs and community providers. This will create a sustainable legacy both in terms of future elite success and grassroots sport.’
The diagram below explains the focus for different partners:
PE School Sport and Club Links Strategy
As the diagram suggests, School Sports Partnerships are not working in isolation, but rather as part of a ’single system’ of sport for all young people.
Our main focus is on:
- Ensuring 2 hours of High Quality PE Curriculum is available to all young people
- Increasing the amount and quality of School Sport experiences, both on school sites and in community settings
- Increasing the quality and quantity of appropriate participation in competition and performance
- Increasing the quality and quantity of sports coaches, leaders and volunteers actively engaged in delivery