The Herts Sports Partnership identified a need to support schools in the most effective use of the Primary PE and Sport Premium. We were aware that some schools were struggling and needed advice especially regarding new initiatives and which coaching agencies to engage with. We partnered with the Youth Sport Trust to set up a Headteacher Advocate group in Hertfordshire.
Led by the Herts Sports Partnership, the group was created through the knowledge of the School Games Organisers. The Involvement of The Youth Sports Trust has been key in helping to support the group to move forward. A good example has been the introduction of Maths of the Day. In future the group is planning to develop a Herts County Strategy to link The Primary PE and Sport premium with School games and the networks that all schools will be able to use.
Aims
- To create a Headteacher Advocate group to meet once a term
- Create a hubsite/beacon school in each SGO area that would aim to demonstrate a ‘good practice’ model and engage with local schools offering support where necessary
- Shape the annual Primary PE conference
- Share key information
Actions
- Each SGO was asked to identify a Primary school in their area that they felt was making best use of funding, were engaged with the School Games programme and demonstrated good practice in PE and School Sport. These Headteachers have become part of the strategic advocate group together with the YST development manager for Hertfordshire and CSP representatives’ .Other individuals are invited to the group meeting where it is felt they can add value and support. The group meets each term.
- Discussions regarding best practice and the use of the funding and website information has led to the creation of an infographic template for schools. All schools in the group have become YST cluster members. It was important that the information from the meetings was disseminated to all schools so each Headteacher now has a regular slot on the agenda of their local Headteacher meeting to disseminate and gather key information. An example of this has been the presentation on the Primary coaching portal and the Hertfordshire CoachMark scheme. Many schools have been bombarded with offers from unheard of companies so the group felt it was important to lead by example.
- Maths of the Day invited in to speak to the group, with a result of eight hub sites/beacon schools. The group has also been instrumental in supporting and developing the annual Primary PE conference.
Impact
- Advocate group has allowed the sharing of key information and for everyone to gain a better insight into what is already happening across the county and what are the needs going forward.
- Advocate Headteachers now have a better understanding of where individual schools sit within the context of PE and School Sport in Hertfordshire and National Partners.
- Schools are now using the infographic to help demonstrate the use of the funding and this has also helped to give Ofsted inspectors an immediate overview of how the money has been allocated.
- Advocates have also used and shared the YST/AfPE Template for Evidencing the Impact of the funding and more schools are now using this document.
- The introduction of Maths of the Day has helped to raise the profile of the advocates through the schools becoming hubsites /beacon schools. Schools have seen an increase in physical activity with their children. Word of mouth and recommendation has also allowed other schools in the areas to benefit through centralised teacher training to develop the scheme in their schools. As a result there was an increase of attendees by 25 %, link governor involvement and an increase in more strategic workshops. This has allowed for individuals to gain more knowledge linking health and Physical activity and sustainability.
Quote from Headteacher/staff
“The Headteacher Advocate group has enabled us to set up a network of support for schools across Hertfordshire. It has enabled us to ensure key information is given to Headteachers regarding the use of the effective use of the premium and also enabled us highlight organisations, programmes and training that were available to support schools.
With all the Headteacher Advocates also being Members of YST they also have access to National Updates and training.”
Catherine Tighe, Youth Sport Trust Development Manager