Local school sees benefit from sport specialists

A Penarth-based primary school has renewed a contract to continue working in partnership with local sports specialists, SportStars, following a successful first year trial period.

Huw Jones, headmaster of Albert primary school has reported a significant and successful impact on the school since its partnership with SportStars in September 2009.

The partnership has resulted in SportStars successfully covering classes for PPA and raising standards of sporting achievements across all year group.

Currently working with Albert primary school five days a week, SportStars, encourages the school pupils aged between 4-12 to partake in a wide variety of sports throughout the school year including football, rugby and netball.

The Cardiff-based company specialises in providing high quality sports coaching for children to fill teaching time left by teachers who are away from the classroom planning, preparing and assessing lessons.

On renewing the contract with SportStars, Huw Jones head teacher of Albert said “The qualified staff from SportStars have made a significant impact in our school since September, both through covering classes for PPA and also by raising standards of sporting achievements across all year groups. Their detailed lesson plans, accurate assessments and good class management has impressed the staff and parents alike and we are looking forward to continuing our partnership with them for the 10/11 academic school year”

Albert primary school employed the services of SportStars in September 2009 until July 2010 for a trial period to cover compulsory PPA time of the schools 10 teaching staff.

Huw added: “As a Head teacher I was challenged by the educational reforms of providing good quality cover for staff while they have their ten per cent Planning Preparation and Assessment time. We employed SportStars to not only provide structured cover for PPA time in our 10 classes but also because of specialist sports service that they provide.

“The service SportStars offers is second to none and since working with them we have reaped the benefits of being able to encourage children to lead healthier lifestyles and educate them on the importance of keeping fit and active.”

Founder and managing director of SportStars James Taylor said: “The SportStars team is a passionate group of energetic and ambitious role-models who are committed to achieving our vision of developing bright and healthy futures for future generations. Working closely with local schools such as Albert primary school enables us to reach our goal of encouraging all youngsters to lead healthier lifestyles. We look forward to working with the school throughout the 10/11 academic school year” Currently

teaching over 25,000 school children each week, SportStars has grown from securing five contracts in its first year, to working with over 150 schools across south Wales and the south West of England.

Continued James: “I set up SportStars after becoming increasingly frustrated at the growing concerns about childhood obesity yet there seemed to be very little being done to tackle it. The introduction of PPA initiative into schools has allowed us a way into begin to tackle the issue. Since launching we have had tremendous success in the Welsh market proving that our approach to tackling childhood obesity is a successful one. I am confident that with our approach we can over time, tap into new geographical markets and spread the benefits of sport even further.”