Loughborough College has been highlighting its work in the community – including its award-winning School Sport Health and Wellbeing Apprenticeship initiative.
The programme has inspired and motivated young people in around 200 primary, secondary and specialist schools since it was created more than eight years ago by Loughborough College - named as Outstanding for its apprenticeships by education watchdog Ofsted.
Apprentices are trained by the College to assist with lessons, lead lunchtime and after-school clubs, organize and deliver competitive sport and sports events and develop community links. Schools are impressed with the difference the students have made to their pupils, with 64% going on to employ their apprentices since the initiative launched and an impressive 95% overall progressing to higher education and employment in the sport sector.
Loughborough College CEO John Doherty said: “Our School Sport Apprenticeship programme has an enormous impact on the development of young people in the area – whether that is the school pupils or the apprentices themselves – and, as we look forward to our ninth year, it continues to build on its success in enhancing fitness and learning, as well as boosting employability. The fact that 64% of our apprentices go on to be employed through their schools is testament to the high quality of support offered by them and to the difference they are making to children throughout our community.”
Rob Jarram, Sport Development Manager at Loughborough College, added: “The School Sport, Health and Wellbeing Apprenticeship is so valuable in helping young people to take more interest in their health and wellbeing and for creating opportunities. Until there is sufficient funding for PE specialist teachers in primary schools, this programme helps provide that support with curriculum coaches - and the benefits are being felt across the community, beyond schools, in clubs and the sport sector, with the programme continuing to develop employable young people in impressive numbers.”
Alice has been successful in gaining a full-time position at St. Bartholomew’s as their PE and Sports Activator. The school praised her ‘commitment and enthusiasm’ - attending residential trips, where her experience in outdoor education ‘has been invaluable’; developing the school’s playground leaders’ scheme and leading on a range of charity events, raising thousands of pounds for Rainbows.
Thomas leads PE at specialist school Forest Way for pupils ranging in age from four to 18 years old with differing abilities. During lessons he uses Makaton, a language programme designed for individuals with cognitive, language and multisensory impairment, neurological disorders and Downs Syndrome. He has built a strong rapport with staff and students at Forest Way. “We can see the impact Tom is having across the school…”
Hugh works across St Clare’s Catholic Primary School and Holy Cross School and leads PE in both as well as working with groups to focus on descriptive writing and stretching and challenging individuals in Maths.
In addition to working across all years at Brooke Hill Academy, Alex helps team teach a boys’ football club and works individually with a girls’ football club. Alex is also a keen member of its forest school staff where he takes different age groups to the woods every week to complete a range of physical and tactile activities based on learning outdoors.
Pictured: Loughborough College CEO John Doherty, Sport Development Manager Rob Jarram and School Sport Health and Wellbeing Apprenticeship programme lead Sunny Chavda (centre) with the apprentices currently working in the community through the award-winning initiative