Leadership in an Active School Award

Sheffield Schools Get Active Awards - Leadership in an Active School Award Winner (sponsored by Team Building At School & the Yorkshire Cricket Board).

Rising through positions from a teacher, Assistant Head, Deputy Head and finally Headteacher; PE, School Sport and Physical Activity (PESSPA) is something that has always been championed by Michael Watson during his time at Hunter’s Bar Junior School (as well as in his previous position at Reignhead Primary).

Coming from a mixed sporting background himself, movement and the relationship to progress in the classroom is something that was given high value at Hunter’s Bar (HBJS). For this reason, a specialist PE role was set up and developed for Paul Ryan who worked at the school from 2011 – 2017 (becoming a full time PE specialist in 2013) under the guidance of Michael and the ex Headteacher Jill Hallsworth. This role helped to highlight the importance of PESSPA throughout the whole school. Pupils’ ownership of clubs also developed with Just Dance and Jammy Dodgers (dodgeball) clubs becoming pupil favourites.

During 2013-2017 HBJS was identified as a successful practitioner within the field of physical education and sport and were invited to join the Youth Sport Trust Innovation School network (one of four primary schools in England) implementing an investigation into Improving Attitudes to Editing and Improving Writing Through Physical Education and Sport. Alongside this, HBJS gained selection as one of only six primary schools involved in the YST Ambassador Schools programme. Initiatives spearheaded by Paul and

Michael lead to the school being given a Yorkshire Sport Foundation Centre of Excellence accreditation.

To build upon the excellent work that had been done, Michael recruited Babajide Adebola into the full time PE role in 2019, allowing him to mould PE and develop club links (over 25 external sporting providers) to create pathways into competitive sport for pupils at HBJ.

Since 2019, HBJS has helped in the development of sporting curriculums for the Youth Sport Trust and The FA., has achieved the Platinum School Games Mark award, won the School Games Award (Westfield School Games Hub) at the Sheffield Schools Get Active Awards, seen Clive Fairweather win the Sports Volunteer of the Year Award (Sheffield Federation for Schools Sport), developed the SEND sporting provision through Points Learning Network/Links School Sports Partnership, developed swimming for Y4 pupils with swimming occurring all the way through the academic year, become a PESSPA champion School helping PE Leads in other schools develop their knowledge and practice and become an FA wildcats centre providing opportunities for female footballers to develop their skills - and is still the only primary school within Sheffield to be a wildcats centre.

Whilst entrusting Babajide to continue to develop PESSPA within HBJS Michael is always actively involved in ensuring anything done in a sporting capacity is the right fit for the school and all its pupils – as well as attending sporting events on evenings and weekends to cheer on and support pupils. Success in sporting competitions continues to happen but more importantly ensuring pupils are able to access sport and clubs has become a major focus. Pupil Premium/Free School Meals children pay 0-50% (maximum) for any clubs within HBJ and externally to ensure that they have access to these Sporting opportunities.

This overview of ensuring opportunities are provided for pupils lead to (in 2021/22) 55% of the school taking part in an Enrichment Activity (e.g. Bikeability) or an After-School/Lunchtime club, 96% of Y4&6 pupils attending Castleton & Thornbridge residentials, 93% of pupils taking part in Sports Day (off site), and HBJS entering 57 of the sporting activities/festivals/matches offered (out of 63), with 61% of the school representing HBJS at sporting competitions and 81% of pupils on the inclusion register representing HBJS over the academic year. Michael has already tasked Babajide with improving on these figures in the 2022/23 academic year!

Whilst entrusting his PE Leads to raise the profile of PESSPA within HBJS, Michael has always had an active role in supporting PESSPA initiatives. Learning for life is the school’s motto and Michael believes that there is a sport out there for every child, it’s all about them being able to find it, which is something he looks to support here at Hunter’s Bar Juniors.