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PULSE School Games Mark


The School Games Mark is owned and created by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and is implemented and developed by the Youth Sport Trust and Sport England.


The Mark rewards schools for their commitment to and the development of competition, school sport and physical education and was first launched in June 2012 via the School Games website.


It is recognised by OFSTED and is a great way of gauging if you are using your Primary School Sports Premium Funding in an effective manner and as such we would like to offer congratulations to the schools throughout the county that have currently achieved the Gold School Mark Status.


We asked schools from different areas about their experience of the School Games Mark and their thoughts on achieving Gold School Games Status.


MERSHAM PRIMARY, ASHFORD


Why did you apply for the School Games Gold Mark?


I started at the school in 2014, but 2015/16 was my first year as PE co-ordinator. Part of why I applied to work at Mersham was the focus and dedication that it gave to PE and school sport and the variety of sports that it offered to children, which was evident when I visited the school and spoke to the children. In 2015, I was asked to lead PE and school sport and I was introduced to the School Games Mark. The school have been entering since 2012 and, with the exception of 2012 when they achieved Silver, have always aimed for and achieved Gold. I knew that this was something that was important to the children and parents so made sure that I applied and worked throughout the year to meet the demanding criteria.


How did the school increase the number of entries into level 1 and level 2 competitions?


It was relatively simple. Our School Games Organiser sends out a list of events for the term; detailing dates, venues, team requirements and additional information, which allows us to put these straight into the school calendar. I then ask the children who might be interested in each event. We then hold trials, for the more popular events, and practise at lunch and break times leading up to the events. We often timetable our clubs


to match the School Games calendar, as this allows children to enter events with the confidence that they can compete at this level. We also have extremely supportive parents, who are always on hand to transport children to and from events and offer lifts to others. Competition also features highly across our PE curriculum and this is developed in the children through small game situations and builds up to larger competitions within lessons.


What sort of impact have you seen on the children who are young leaders/part of the school sports organising crew?


Our School Sports Organising Crew and Young Leaders were fabulous last year. They really took ownership of their role and shared some really interesting visions for sport at Mersham.


They developed their leadership, organisation and communication skills, and I really saw them grow in confidence. Their help was invaluable and included, staff support at sports day, weekly Wake-n-Shake sessions at the school, Try-a-Sport Club (for our more reluctant sports people), organising activities for Sports Week and delivering the infant challenges at lunch times for the KS1 children. I can’t wait to get planning with our new crew and leaders this year!


Have you noticed a difference in the children since increasing your sporting provision?


Because we have sustained Gold Mark for four years, the values and competitive nature that the School Games Mark aims to develop are already embedded. The children remain competitive, sporting and enthusiastic and never cease to amaze me at each event we attend. It has developed a real sense of pride when the children represent the school at events.


6 The Kent & Medway School Sports Magazine


What would you say to a school who were thinking of trying to obtain the Gold Mark?


Do it! To achieve Gold Mark is a challenge. Planning is key; make sure you know the requirements and criteria and then get the entire school involved. You’ll find out about pockets of expertise that you never knew you had from parents


and other members of staff! It is a real sense of achievement for the school when you are told that you’ve reached Gold and although the plaque and recognition are lovely; the real success lies in the fact that you will have given more opportunities to children along the way and will have developed attributes in them that will extend beyond the field/court.


ST EANSWYTHE, FOLKESTONE


Why did you apply for the School Games Gold Mark?


We applied for the School Games Mark as a record of all the extracurricular sport we do and the priority that we give sport within our school.


How did the school increase the number of entries into level 1 and level 2 competitions?


We try to enter all the competitions run by Shepway School Games Organiser, the Shepway Sports Trust and also organise other friendlies between local schools. This high level of participation has led to a greater development in skills of the children, particularly their team work and tactical awareness.


The high level of participation over a long period of time has also led to an increase in the number of successes we have had. Last year we qualified for the Kent finals in Rugby, Netball, Basketball, Lacrosse and Handball.


What sort of impact have you seen on the children who are young leaders/part of the school sports organising crew?


Children really enjoy leading events and develop skills of empathy,


leadership, communication, encouragement and teamwork. Our School Games Crew were involved in organising, facilitating, recording and officiating events for KS1 and in facilitating and recording termly intra school events across the whole school.


Have you noticed a difference in the children since increasing your sporting provision?


As a school we strongly believe that our academic success is not only due to high quality teaching but is highly influenced by the other activities and opportunities given to our pupils in the areas of art, music and sport. This greatly increases confidence, happiness, social skills and impacts on academic attainment.


What would you say to a school who were thinking of trying to obtain the Gold Mark?


The Gold Kite Mark is an acknowledgment of the sport that you do and the priority it has in your school.


It also ensures


that you have a wide variety of sports on offer to children both at a competitive and non-competitive level.


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