Invest wisely in sport. That was the message delivered personally from sporting super power Baroness Sue Campbell to schools in Doncaster.
UK Sport’s outgoing chairman threw down the gauntlet to more than 70 Doncaster primary school head teachers and local sports representatives at a special event at the Dome last month.
Campbell, the former PE teacher who provided the strategy behind British athletes’ spectacular performance at London 2012, has been outspoken about what she perceives to be “missed opportunities” to create a genuine Olympic legacy.
But the chief executive of the Youth Sport Trust and cross-bench peer in the House of Lords says it is not too late to capitalise on London.
Campbell encouraged Doncaster’s schools to create a winning physical education strategy and sporting culture by investing in coaching and looking carefully at the delivery of PE.
All schools will receive a lump sum of £8,000, plus a premium of £5 per pupil, as part of a new £150 million ring-fenced investment scheme announced in March.
“Sport is a way of tackling some of the major challenges faced by schools, like behavioural or attendance issues,” said Campbell.
“This new funding is great opportunity to have a positive impact on young people’s lives. We want young people to be physically literate.
“If this funding is to reach every young person it is important to recognise that schools will need support in how to maximise its impact,” she added.
“Funding will need to be used in a way that makes high quality PE and sport sustainable, and embeds both within school life. Primary schools in particular will need support to achieve this.”
Doncaster based School Sport Partnership firm Active Fusion are currently working with schools in Doncaster to identify issues of best practice and areas that need attention.
Lindsy James, partnership director for Active Fusion, said: “This funding gives Doncaster schools a real opportunity to create a winning physical education and sport culture.
“We’re looking forward to supporting schools with their vision for their pupils which will have a long term impact.”
Campbell was made an MBE in 1991 and a CBE in 2003 for her contribution to sport. Earlier this year she was ranked as one of the 100 most powerful women in the United Kingdom by Radio Four.
For more information on the Sports Premium visit www.education.gov.uk.
To view the Sports Premium offer for Doncaster schools go to www.activefusion.org.uk.