Parkinson Lane Community Primary School in Halifax has been accredited as a Centre of Excellence for Physical Activity, by Yorkshire Sport Foundation.
The school has earned the status for its approach to before and after school clubs, providing a wide variety of free opportunities for all pupils and their families, forming a vital part of the school’s vision, enrichment programme and pupil offer.
Among the initiatives the school has put in place, is working with their local School Games Organiser to train more than 30 pupils – some of whom are on the SEND register – as sports leaders, allowing them to lead inclusive, SEND friendly sessions for their peers. The school also deliver clubs for parents in the shape of a weekly Get Fit Club. It is open to all families, but mainly specialises in supporting families who stand to benefit the most from being more active and making healthier lifestyle choices.
The success of the school and its approach to extracurricular opportunities recently inspired the creation of the Kings Cross Cricket Club which seeks to further develop the cricketing abilities of boys and girls within the community, and the school dance club has seen pupils perform locally and internationally as part of school residentials.
Gugsy Ahmed – Headteacher: “At Parkinson Lane CPS, we place a huge importance on extra-curricular provision for all our learners. Our internal research shows that children who attend our before and after school clubs make accelerated academic progress; we have also noted their increased confidence and social skills which significantly contribute towards their holistic development.
“I am extremely grateful to the efforts of my hard-working staff who volunteer their time to run our before and after school clubs. It is pleasing to see their efforts, as well as our children’s commitment to our clubs, acknowledged through the Centre of Excellence Award.”
Alex Ogden, Education Manager at Yorkshire Sport Foundation, commented: “The school is truly at the heart of its community, with the provision it provides outside of regular school hours truly deserving of the Centre of Excellence status.
“As the Creating Active Schools Framework highlights, the sustainability and impact of the clubs has been supported significantly by adaptations to recruitment processes as well as considerations of how to enhance the capability and motivation of staff who are delivering the sessions.
“It is all driven by a strong rationale, with children and families in the area often priced out of sports clubs and activities outside of school. By providing a wide variety of extra-curricular club opportunities throughout the year, the school is supporting its parents, pupils and teachers to enjoy the physical and mental wellbeing benefits we know come with being active. We are very much looking forward to working with the school, supporting them to share their approach and learning far and wide.”
Rebecca Antcliffe, Active Education Manager at Calderdale Council, added: “Parkinson Lane was the very first school in Calderdale to join the Creating Active Schools programme with an ethos of encouraging pupils and the community to be physically active that is shared by ever member of staff.
“Active Calderdale are delighted that the staff and pupils of Parkinson Lane have been recognised for their hard work and commitment, and look forward to working with the school in future to further support local people to find health and happiness through being active.”