9.7 School/Club Links
Developing School /Club Links
"School/Club links" is a term often used in strategic documents, grant applications and general discussions within Sports Development, PE, School Sport and National Governing Bodies. Many young people take part in school sport, but there are fewer who take part in activities outside of school. And after they leave compulsory education, many young people do not take part in any form of regular sport or physical activity at all.
Establishing School/Club links gives young people the opportunity to continue participating in worthwhile sporting and physical activity throughout their lives. It allows youngsters to make the most of their experiences in both settings, to try out new sports, feel comfortable in the club setting and as a result makes them more likely to continue participate once they leave school.
A Practical Guide to Developing Club / School Links
One of the club's first points of contact should be the local schools. A club should be able to make a strong case for developing links with the local school as there are many benefits to be gained by both the school and the club. School sport has in recent years suffered due to the pressures placed on schools from the ever changing national curriculum, financial constraints and limited time. Therefore both the number of hours available for PE and for after school sports clubs has in some schools diminished, leaving an opportunity for local sports clubs help to provide quality sporting opportunities for young people.
In order to assist in the provision of these additional sporting opportunities clubs are encouraged to make contact with their local schools. By making contact, the club can identify the gaps in school provision and identify how the club and school can work together to complement the school sports programme and fill the gaps.
Benefits for the School:
- Specialist coaching to complement and support the teaching programme
- Clear pathways/exit routes for children to continue participating in sport outside of school
- Wider range of sports available for pupils
- Improved performance and sporting success
- Access to better facilities
- Increased potential for accessing other funding opportunities
- Increase in the number of school children keeping active, fit and healthy
- Contribute to a young person's social and personal development
- Raise the school profile
- Positive sporting and community image
- Teacher support and mentoring.
Benefits for the Club:
- Raise the club profile
- Boost junior membership
- Potential new income
- New opportunities for children to develop through 'your' sport
- Potential to share resources; equipment, facilities, coaching expertise
- Access to additional facilities
- Coach and Volunteer Development.
Examples of Club to School Links
- School raises the profile of the club and promotes opportunities provided by the club i.e. circulate / display posters; invite representatives to school assemblies or arranged visits during PE lessons.
- Coaching a class during curriculum time.
- Club coaches attend after school clubs to identify talented pupils and invite them to attend a specific club session or development squad
- Club runs an after school / extra curricular club or coaching sessions at school site
- Taster / come and try sessions on school site followed by club site
- Arrange for the pupils to visit the club
- Club can get involved in organising competitions or tournaments
Remember that activities may vary from term to term and be open to attending activities for less traditional target groups.
Developing Schools Links - Key Steps to Developing School Links:
- Who do we want to link up with and why?
- Before approaching the school identify some possible ideas for the partnership
- Identify the information needed from the school
- How will we make contact
- What can we offer the partnership
- How will we need to manage and promote the links
Recognise the demands and time constraints on the school curriculum. A qualified coach, who understands the role that their sport plays within the physical education programme and who is aware of the learning needs of pupils, can be of significant help to the class teacher particularly if they do not have the same level of sporting knowledge or expertise as the coach.
The school's Principle and organiser of the activity must be totally satisfied that the external coaches are qualified and competent to supervise the activities and that they have been fully briefed about their role and responsibilities and the school's roles and responsibilities.
The coach and school should agree a form of contract which outlines:
- A job description/ role of the coach
- The role of the class teacher
- The shared responsibility and development of the programme
- A commitment from the school to promote the sport and the club
- Agreement to encourage teachers/ parents to take part in appropriates coaching courses
- Specific manageable targets.
During Curriculum Time
For sessions being undertaken during curriculum time a teacher must be present at all times, remember that the teacher has the ultimate responsibility for the pupils. The coach should work with, not instead of, the teacher. These sessions can be used to provide teachers with some new ideas for skill development specific to your sport, so it is important to encourage the teacher to get involved. Remember that there needs to be an education bias therefore the coach must learn how to educate children as well as coach them.
After School Time
Extra curricular or after school sessions require the attendance of a teacher on the school site at all times. It is also recommended that schools ask the parents to have complete and return parent consent forms.
All schools differ. A scheme that works in one school may not be suitable for another. School policy regarding external coaching and after school clubs also varies from school to school. Therefore each school's policy must be referred to before any activity commences.
Consideration before commencing any school activity
- School Site - facility risk assessment, teacher responsibility, caretaker's role and responsibilities.
- First aid and access to telephone.
- School's Board of Management and the Club's Executive Committee have agreed the use of facilities.
- Equipment (club to school loan scheme may be required).