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School’s sports policy leads the way in UK
Jack Hunt School assistant headteacher Chris Game receiving the Sports Leadership Academy Status from Maria Turnbull-Kemp of Sports Leaders UK.
A SUCCESSFUL initiative that empowers pupils to coach sport has made Jack Hunt School the first in the country to receive Sports Leadership Academy status.
The school, in Netherton, Peterborough was given the honour by Sports Leaders UK and it highlights its commitment to developing leadership among its pupils.
Jack Hunt School is no stranger to sporting excellence, with current pupils Lewis Hook representing Great Britain’s ice hockey team at the 2012 Youth Winter Olympic Games and Thalia Martin excelling at both golf and tennis.
Academy status recognises the school’s initiative called Leadership 4 Life.
The programme starts by getting pupils interested in teaching younger primary school children by developing their coaching and leadership skills.
As they progress through the programme they can work their way up to become Level 1 sports leaders during their GCSEs and Level 2 sports leaders during their A-levels, with the most talented youngsters joining the Leadership Academy.
At each step of the way pupils develop fundamental leadership skills that staff hope will transfer to other elements of their life.
There are currently more than 300 pupils aged between 14 and 17 on the programme.
Assistant headteacher Chris Game said: “We are extremely proud of this recognition from Sports Leaders UK.
“We place great emphasis on leadership at Jack Hunt School and offer students a range of opportunities to develop skills and qualifications in sports leadership.”
Maria Turnbull-Kemp from Sports Leaders UK presented a plaque to mark the school’s achievement to Mr Game on Tuesday.
It was also an opportunity to see the sports leaders in action as they organised a multi-skill sports festival for Year 4 primary school pupils the same day.
Melissa Galer (17), a Year 13 pupil in the Leadership Academy, said: “It has given me self-confidence and allowed me to take on a group of Year 5 pupils and teach them sports and activities.
“I first got involved when I was in Year 9 and I have done it ever since then. I think it is really enjoyable.”
Leadership Academy member Alex Waller (18) said he wanted to become a PE teacher as a result of taking part in the programme.
Alex said: “It has definitely given me more confidence and made me realise how much I like teaching children sports.”
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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