Launched in 2017 and available to every primary school in England and Wales, Premier League Primary Stars uses the appeal of the Premier League and professional football clubs to support pupils in the classroom, the playground and on the sports field.

Premier League Primary Stars’ range of more than 640 curriculum-linked activities support teachers to build their pupils’ confidence in key areas from Maths and English to PSHE and Physical Education and can be used off-the-shelf or tailored to suit teachers’ needs. More than 58,000 teachers have downloaded and used the free curriculum-linked resources since the programme began.

To mark the five-year anniversary, the Premier League is launching the Active Summer Challenge. This brand new initiative will challenge pupils to find five ways to keep active during the summer holidays, a time when fitness levels can drop. The new resources are now available for teachers to download for free on the Premier League Primary Stars website.

Exclusive content featuring Premier League players, club coaches and experts has been created to support teachers to inspire pupils deliver impactful PE lessons. Nine out of 10 teachers believe that they have seen an increase in pupils’ enjoyment of sport and physical activity linked to the programme.

In addition to PE, English and Maths resources, Premier League Primary Stars also supports teachers to deliver classroom-based discussions and activities on important societal topics such as anti-discrimination, mental health and gender stereotypes linked to No Room for Racism, Wellbeing Stars, and Rainbow Laces. After using the PSHE resources, 72% said that their pupils understand more about how to challenge prejudice and discrimination and 79% of teachers said their pupils have a better understanding of how to look after their own wellbeing.

Natalie Sutton, School Manager at Sandfield Close Primary School, said: “The Premier League Primary Stars programme has opened up so many opportunities and doors to us that we wouldn’t have been able to open on our own. We’ve had such a positive experience since joining back in 2018. It is important to measure progress but for me, it is also important to see our pupils expand their thinking and learn about key subjects in a fun and engaging way. It has all been so positive for us as teachers, but more importantly beneficial to the learning of our pupils.”

www.PLPrimaryStars.com

Tall Ships Youth Trust (TSYT) based in Portsmouth, is now a member of IOL, which champions safe activities and effective learning in the outdoors. Its mission is to increase participation in outdoor learning in the UK and to recognise and improve the quality of outdoor provision.

Alastair Floyd, Chief Executive Officer at TSYT, said: “We’re delighted to be a new member of the Institute for Outdoor Learning. As a professional provider of outdoor learning, our membership gives us the opportunity to enhance our provision for young people and to increase our reach nationally with young people from the most disadvantaged backgrounds. “We’re looking forward to learning and sharing new ideas and best practice with other member organisations within the sector.”

A TSYT voyage provides the perfect opportunity for young people aged 12-25 to get outdoors, take notice of the world around them and learn lessons for life at sea.

As the UK’s oldest and largest youth development sail training charity, TSYT has been providing young people with life-changing experiences at sea for 65 years.

During this time, more than 120,000 young people have experienced a life-changing adventure with the youth organisation, sailing over two million nautical miles — equivalent to sailing round the world 92 times.

As a charity, TSYT recognises the importance of outdoor education and the benefits of taking learning beyond the classroom.

Onboard a TSYT voyage, young people develop a range of skills, which can be transferred to their day-to-day lives to help them overcome any barriers and thrive. Working together as a team they grow in confidence and self-esteem and see a significant improvement in their communication and leadership skills.

For more information on the organisation’s youth voyages visit: www.tallships.org and to learn more about the Institute for Outdoor Learning at https://www.outdoor-learning.org/.

Led by The School Archery League (SAL) and supported by Archery GB, the accessible competition helps set a new challenge for pupils that supports mental focus, promotes fun and provides the benefits of physical activity – all in a socially distant way. The Virtual Schools Archery League is open to all schools across the country, with separate divisions for barebow and recurve bows as well as abilities. Shooting can take place indoors or outdoors to suit the school’s facilities.

Over the past year, various lockdowns and periods of home-schooling have meant physical activity has been restricted for many pupils, with a negative impact on both physical and mental wellbeing. As a naturally socially-distanced activity, archery is the perfect sport to get pupils moving and motivated again.

Schools joining the Virtual Schools Archery League are invited to submit one or more groups for entry, who will then compete against other schools within the same category. Teachers record and submit each archer’s top scoring shooting round virtually during the competition period, and a winner is announced every half term.

Sarah Gibbs, SAL Coordinator says: “We want to get as many pupils as possible across the country involved in the League and having a go at archery. It’s a great sport that everyone can enjoy – and with in-person inter-school competitions currently limited, the Schools Archery League is a great way for students to enjoy an inclusive, competitive sport, in a safe and socially-distanced way.

“We think students will really enjoy the thrill when they hit the target and can see their aim improve over time. Of course, a bit of friendly competition between schools makes for added excitement too!”

Neil Armitage, CEO of Archery GB said, “The Virtual Schools Archery League is a fantastic initiative and one that we hope really encourages more students to get involved in the sport. Archery is well-recognised as an inclusive sport that is accessible to all ages and abilities, so it also helps engage those that are perhaps not naturally drawn to sports. Covid-19 has had a significant impact on physical activity across the board, and archery is an ideal sport for post-Covid times to help boost mental and physical wellbeing.”

Accessible across the spectrum regardless of age, physical ability or gender, archery is a uniquely inclusive sport. As one of very few that sees disabled and non-disabled participants and those of all ages compete against each other on level terms, archery truly breaks down barriers and creates an accessible path to sporting fun for all levels of abilities and fitness.

With physical benefits such as improved stamina and upper body strength, mental benefits of improved control, enhanced focus and boosted self-confidence, students also benefit from the social and competitive aspects of competing alongside their teammates.

This summer, Archery GB will once again be leading The Big Weekend event (9 – 11 July), which this year will be preceded by The Big Week (5 – 9 July), encouraging even more people to have a go at the inclusive sport. With a whole host of activities, including taster sessions, social events, fun games and archery challenges there will be plenty of opportunities to try the inclusive sport at clubs, venues, centres and schools nationwide – perfect for the 77% of British adults who wish they’d been able to try archery during school PE.

To find out more about the Virtual School Archery League, schools should email CFCARCHERY@gmail.com.

For more information on archery, including The Big Week and The Big Weekend, please visit www.archerygb.org.

For more on getting started with archery, head to www.startarchery.co.uk.

With these courses, students will have two training sessions and one class a day for 3 days a week, and will achieve a NCFE qualification, the same as they’d receive at a typical college of further education. During the courses however, they will also have the benefit of competitive games on a Wednesday.

Both courses at Birmingham Moseley Rugby Club will begin in September 2021 and are open for enrolment now. To apply, click here: https://www.wearescl.co.uk/birmingham-rugby

Travis McIntyre, who runs the academy, said: “We’re so excited to announce that we’ll be running two brand new courses from September, it’s something that we’ve been wanting to expand into for a while now and because of the popularity of football and women’s rugby around Birmingham, we’re sure we’ll have some incredible players join us.

“We started the academy in 2014, exclusively running men’s rugby courses, but it’s been so successful that we’re sure we have the expertise and knowledge to replicate this into a football course and, adapt the knowledge we already have for the women’s rugby classes.

“Our past rugby students have gone on to gain full scholarships at universities and play in the Birmingham Moseley Rugby Club’s team, so while we are primarily a rugby club, we appreciate all sport and are excited to expand our student base to football, as well as rugby.”

The first information evening is Monday 17th May at 7pm in the Reddings Suite at Birmingham Moseley Rugby Club, subject to Government guidelines.

Whilst studies have suggested that sport and outdoor education such as bushcraft have benefits to young people, the ambitious programme will look in detail at the types of intervention that work best for different profiles of student. The programme aims to allow targeted interventions to be developed so that students have greater chance to thrive at secondary school and beyond.

The timing of this programme is of further relevance given the increased risk to young people’s mental health posed by the current Covid19 pandemic, emphasising the need for alternative, creative programmes such as this to support young people both during and post this challenging period.

Beginning early in 2021, more than 230 students from the BET family of seven schools, plus Steyning Grammar School (soon to join BET) will be involved in a series of visits to ACCF’s incredible grounds, to take part in activities including: cricket coaching, bushcraft courses, health based activities, and visits to Arundel Castle and its gardens.

The activities will allow students to develop skills in resilience and self-confidence, which school staff will translate back into the classroom. Evaluation of the results will be completed by ImpactEd, a professional research organisation, so that all schools within and beyond BET can learn how best to ensure every child has an equal chance in school.

The new project will support BET’s ongoing work into the benefits of outdoor education and will ensure that curriculum policies are informed by the best possible research.

Neil Strowger, Trust Leader at BET said, “Outdoor activities and education can be life-changing experiences for many children. Some with very little confidence have gone on to be head boys and girls; others with little self-belief or who may have disengaged with school entirely have achieved excellent exam results and reached positive destinations.

“At BET, we welcome opportunities for collaboration and game-changing research. This programme breaks new ground by informing and giving us the chance to ensure that connections between student profiles and different types of outdoor activity intervention can be properly considered.”

Tim Shutt, Director of the Arundel Castle Cricket Foundation said: “Our education-rich surrounds here at Arundel are ideally suited to providing life-changing learning experiences to young people who may be facing some form of disadvantage or simply struggling with school. The need for interventions such as this, as we sit within a global pandemic, is as great as it has ever been.

“We are delighted to be forming this educational partnership with Bohunt Education Trust. They committed to innovative, “game-changing” outdoor education and their expertise will be crucial in delivering the desired outputs. In addition, we are incredibly grateful to Ned’s Fund, whose generosity has enabled us to deliver this potentially groundbreaking programme. Their ethos is very much aligned to ours and their passion to transform the lives of young people needing support is hugely inspiring.”

It can be played as a team, singles or doubles, has had a massive impact in schools across the UK and is spreading rapidly internationally.

Sitting squarely in the National Curriculum, with discounts for education, it ticks all your PE & Sport Premium boxes. VX emphasises honesty and integrity in sport. Schools use it in many ways, both in the curriculum and for afterschool. It involves a massive amount of both aerobic and anaerobic fitness,– but the youngsters don’t realise how hard they are working. As Helen Mackenzie (Director of Sport for Ripon Schools) said: “VX – it’s got the lot!”

www.vxinternational.com

www.watchvx.tv

upmh@vxinternational.com

07790 351534

This limited offer on a new sand-dressed hockey pitch is part of the scheme from The European Hockey Federation (EHF), the governing body of hockey in Europe.

As the UK’s only one-stop-shop for synthetic pitches, SIS Pitches are experts in synthetic turf. Providing pitches all over the world for some of the biggest names in the sport, as well as schools and universities across the UK, their passion is delivering pitches that are outstanding and durable for a variety of sports.

With this in mind, SIS Pitches have chosen to support the worthy scheme by providing a high-quality hockey pitch to a school who would like to develop their facilities.

About the pitch

The pitch will be tufted with an 18mm specialised polypropylene fibre in order to provide non-directional ball roll. The turf will be backed with latex to increase tuft retention.

The full-size pitch will be manufactured in the SIS Pitches UK factory within 5 weeks from the order date, with a warranty of 6 years.

The pitch will be manufactured with 75mm white lines on the field, with additional white lines that will be supplied for the D’s and dashes on the field.

At a significantly reduced price of £8/m2, this pitch would be perfect for a school.

Please note this offer is pitch only so it does not include transport/shipping, shockpad, installation or sand. Please contact us for more information.

Exceeding our clients’ expectations, every time

We have over 15 years’ experience working with some of the most prestigious schools, colleges and universities in the UK including:

• Loughborough University – Official Stadium Pitch Partner
• Manchester University
• Coventry Schools Foundation
• Alive Lynnsport
• Ipswich School
• University of Cumbria
• Ben Rhydding Sports Club
• Redbridge Sports Centre
• Hull University
• Cundall Manor
• St Mary’s School

For more information about this pitch, contact the SIS Pitches team today via the website or call on 01900 812 796

The leading youth charity scooped the accolade at the annual School Travel Awards 2018/19, the UK’s biggest event for school travel and learning outside the classroom.

Chosen by readers of School Travel Organiser magazine, the annual awards recognise the best venues, attractions and companies for educational visits.

Anita Kerwin-Nye, Director of Strategy and Engagement at YHA (England & Wales) said: “It’s an honour and a privilege to receive the award as it recognises the commitment and dedication of all YHA staff – both in hostel and behind the scenes, to delivering the very best experience for schools who choose to stay with us.”

Last year almost 100,000 primary and secondary school children stayed on school trips with YHA (England & Wales). The charity operates more than 150 youth hostels through England and Wales in cities, towns, coastal and National Park locations, with more than 80 of them Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC) accredited; the most of any UK provider.

Research has shown that children from lower socio-economic groups, and those with special educational needs and disabilities are less likely to visit the countryside or undertake rural leisure pursuits.

To enable schools to provide the opportunity for outdoor travel and adventure to all their students, YHA’s Educational Breaks support programme supports young people aged between 8 and 18 who are eligible for Pupil Premium and have additional social challenges. Up to 10 young people in a group can apply for a two-night supported break at a Youth Hostel. The current round of applications to YHA’s Educational Breaks programme is open until 31^st January 2019.

Anita added: “Giving young people the opportunity to learn and develop through travel and adventure is our passion and one of the main reasons that YHA exists. We know that travel and adventure are transformative for young people; benefitting their emotional, social and academic development. We hope that our Educational Breaks programme will enable more schools to give the very children who need to most, the opportunity to benefit from a residential experience.”

Highlighting the importance of young people having the opportunity to access travel and adventure in the outdoors, YHA recently launched The Adventure Effect campaign. At the heart of the campaign is a film which features a social experiment highlighting the impact of young people not having the opportunity to access travel and the outdoors. Watch the powerful film at www.groups.yha.org.uk/adventure-effect

To book your next residential school trip with YHA or apply for Educational Breaks support, visit https://groups.yha.org.uk/

Outdoor Classroom Day is returning this November – and this time promises to be bigger and better than ever before. Following a record 2,612 schools and nearly 350,000 children taking part across the UK and Republic of Ireland (ROI) in May, schools are being challenged once more to take lessons outdoors and prioritise playtime.

The international initiative, led in the UK and ROI by national school grounds and education charity Learning through Landscapes and globally by Project Dirt, acts as a catalyst to inspire more time outdoors on a daily basis: both at school and at home. Its long-term aims include for children to have access to 90 minutes of playtime at school every day.

Speaking of November’s campaign, Carley Sefton – CEO of Learning through Landscapes – said: “We are proud to continue leading the Outdoor Classroom Day campaign in the UK and ROI; it’s an initiative that we know is critical not only to the health and wellbeing of children and young people, but also to their cognitive development.

“It’s proven that outdoor learning and play increases social skills, imagination, engagement with learning, concentration and behaviour. We know that 90% of teachers who got involved in 2017 said that children were more engaged in their learning and 72% said that they were better able to concentrate after learning outdoors. As mental health challenges rise and pressures on children and young people increase, it becomes more and more vital that we harness these easy-to-achieve benefits.

“Between our 2017 campaign and May 2018, one fifth of teachers in the UK and ROI told us they had increased time for outdoor play since taking part in the campaign, with two fifths increasing outdoor learning time. We know the initiative has the power to change pupils’ school life.

“We are excited about our November day as it reinforces our core belief that there’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.We believe that children should be outdoors all year round as it is highly beneficial to their health and wellbeing.”

This November’s campaign will centre on the benefit of risky play and learning in school grounds and outdoor spaces, focussing on the impact an individual’s actions can have on our environment.

Cath Prisk, Global Partnerships Director at Project Dirt, said: “We wanted to use this Outdoor Classroom Day to show that risky learning and play is a crucial part of growing up.

“Dirty knees and scratched elbows are not something children should fear – they should stand as a foundation to teach them about their strengths and limitations.

“Courageous play not only enables children to learn about challenging situations – and how to rise to them – but also how to be more aware of others.

“We also believe that it can help children understand how their actions can decrease or increase risk to the environment; a crucial learning tool to bring into young people’s lives. We want to use this as an opportunity to connect children to the environment and encourage them to nurture the nature around them.”

Although some schools are on half term on 1 November, the campaign still invites them to register and simply go outdoors on a day that suits them. Parents and supporters can also sign up to show their support and to get more information about how they can help make outdoor play and learning part of every day for every child.

Parents and teachers can sign up today by visiting: www.outdoorclassroomday.org.uk

The initiative was organised as part of a collaborative project between local reading charity Beanstalk and Knowsley Safari – a partnership which aims to help more school children develop a love of reading while extending their learning beyond the classroom through a range of outdoor learning activities.

These activities include a series of inspirational storytelling workshops hosted by Knowsley Safari as part of Beanstalk’s ‘Somewhere Special to Read’ scheme. So far children from Hope Primary School, Millbrook Primary School and Knowsley Lane Primary School have been taking part.

Beanstalk works with schools across Merseyside and beyond to train and place volunteers who visit schools twice a week to support children that have fallen behind with reading or who need a bit of extra one-to-one help and encouragement.

As well as school staff a number of Beanstalk volunteers were also invited along to Knowsley Safari to be part of the children’s exciting learning experience. The visits saw children enjoying a VIP early entry into the park for a special story time set to the natural sights and sounds of the park’s animals and wildlife, building the anticipation and excitement for further exploration of the park. The children were then invited to handle some animal artefacts before enjoying the walking safari tour with two knowledgeable guides.

Christine Braithwaite, Area Manager for Beanstalk North West, said: “It has been a fantastic series of events so far and we are really lucky to be teaming up with the wonderful people at Knowsley Safari to offer such an exciting outdoor learning experience for the children. For many of the schools we work with, funded opportunities like these do not come up very often, so to be able to take the children on a learning experience beyond the limitations of the classroom is just fantastic. We are really grateful to Knowsley Safari for hosting the visits and also to Manchester Islamic Girls School who helped fund the trips, as did two private donors who covered the costs of the buses and the cost of an ice-cream for each of the children. Thanks to their generosity these children had such a special day and got so much out of the whole experience. We are really looking forward to more special projects as part of the partnership.”

Knowsley Safari’s Learning and Discovery Community Officer, Hayley Worsfold, says: “We always aim to develop new and exciting ways to connect people with the natural world. At Knowsley Safari, we pride ourselves on providing opportunities for members of the community most at need and our partnership with Beanstalk helps us to further achieve this.

“The children from all three of the schools we’ve worked with so far have worked so hard to develop their literacy skills and in recognition of this, were invited to enjoy the reading within the natural surroundings at Knowsley Safari.”

Debbie McConlough, Assistant Head Teacher at Hope Primary School, said: “The children and staff enjoyed themselves immensely and were so excited to tell everybody about it when they got back to school. They felt very special to have been picked and I think it gave them a real self-esteem boost.”

If you would like to find out more about supporting the charity, having Beanstalk volunteers in your school, or becoming a trained reading helper yourself, please visit the Beanstalk website to find out all about how to get involved: www.beanstalkcharity.org.uk.