Tuesday
19 SepGold School Sport Award
FIRRHILL HIGH SCHOOL AWARDED GOLD STATUS BY SPORTSCOTLAND
Dear Parent/Carer,
I am writing to you to pass on the great news that Firrhill has, once again, been recognised with a prestigious national award for innovation and achievement in delivering physical education and extra-curricular sport.
Firrhill was first awarded the two-year Gold status in 2015 and to secure this highest level of award for another two years represents a tremendous achievement by everyone associated with curricular and extra-curricular sport at the school.
As part of the National Lottery funded programme, the sportscotland School Sport Award is a national initiative that is designed to encourage schools to continuously improve physical education and sport. The Award also encourages sporting links between schools and the communities around them.
Stewart Harris, Chief Executive of sportscotland, said: “Congratulations to all the staff and pupils at Firrhill High School – they should be extremely proud of this fantastic achievement. Not only have they put physical education and sport at the heart of their school and local community, but they have managed to do so in a way that encourages all pupils to engage in physical activity whilst having fun at the same time.
“sportscotland is committed to building a world-class sporting system for everyone, and a crucial part of that is putting young people at the heart. Working with our partners in local authorities and governing bodies of sport, we are creating closer links between physical education, school sport and club sport, which benefits young people by providing more and better opportunities to take part in sport.”
With more applications than ever before, there are currently 212 sportscotland Gold School Sport Award schools. 336 schools have been awarded Silver and 84 with Bronze.
The sportscotland School Sport Award is supported by the Active Schools Network, a programme that involves sportscotland working in partnership with all 32 local authorities to encourage schools to ensure there are opportunities for all children and young people to engage, participate and reach their potential in this area.
To achieve a Bronze or Silver sportscotland School Sport Award, schools self-assess their current practice. However, to gain Gold status an extensive external assessment is also carried out by an independent panel of experts.
The sportscotland School Sport Award focuses on the following 9 core areas;
- Physical education – All pupils should have access to 2 hours/2 periods of quality physical education.
- School sport – All pupils should have access to a range of quality extracurricular sports and activities to take part in before, during and after school.
- Pathways – There should be clear pathways to a range of community sport opportunities to encourage lifelong participation for all pupils.
- Compete and perform – Pupils should have opportunities to compete and perform in events, festivals and regular competition.
- Celebrating sport – Pupils achievements in sport at all levels should be celebrated, including; participation, performance, spectating, leading, coaching and officiating.
- Leadership – Pupils should have opportunities to lead, coach, officiate and influence sport in their schools.
- Career long professional learning (CLPL) – All staff and volunteer deliverers should be encouraged to engage in and have access to a range of quality physical education and sport related CLPL opportunities.
- Recognition and awards – Schools should formally and informally recognise the staff and volunteers who give up their time to support, organise or deliver extracurricular sport and physical activity opportunities in the school.
- Access to school facilities (secondary only) – School should form strong links to local sports clubs and organisations and provide preferential access to school facilities for these linked organisations, where possible.
The School Sport Award review panel consist of representatives from the following groups and organisations;
- sportscotland
- Physical Education Lead Officer network
- Active Schools network
- Young People’s Sport Panel
- National Governing Bodies of Sport
- Scottish Disability Sport
If you would like more information information you can visit https://sportscotland.org.uk/schools/school-sport-award/
This award represents a tremendous achievement and well-deserved recognition for every one who is involved in and contributes to curricular and extra-curricular sport at Firrhill. Particular thanks should go to the Curriculum Leader for Health & Wellbeing, Morag Carmichael, and to the entire team in PE including our Active Schools Co-ordinator, Lorna Norman.
Yours,
Graham Hamilton
Headteacher
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