Opening School Facilities case study: Wales High School

Mettle is a Sheffield-based weightlifting and strength training club, driven by the ambition to deliver "more programmes in more places to more people." 

In partnership with Wales High School, Mettle launched 'Raise The Bar', a six-week introduction to Olympic Weightlifting. The response was overwhelming across the school: over 100 students expressed interest, with more than half attending sessions. Twenty-five students signed up and completed the full course, culminating in a celebratory graduation event at Mettle HQ.

To encourage children to continuation, Mettle offered fully funded three-month scholarships and 50% bursaries to all graduates. The impact was immediate and lasting: five students have since transitioned into regular, fee-paying club members and are now active competitors in Olympic Weightlifting.

Dave Hembrough, Mettle’s Head Coach, reflected: “Our growing partnership with Wales High School is brilliant and just what we want to be doing as a club. The Opening School Facilities funding was the catalyst for this initiative which helps pupils to engage in supervised weightlifting activities to become fitter, healthier, happier and stronger which without this funding this would not have been possible for the Secondary School."

Parents also noticed the transformation. One shared: “One of the best things to happen in WHS was Mettle Weightlifting coming in as an afterschool sport. Our son has enjoyed everything about Olympic Weightlifting since starting at school and is now training three times a week at the Mettle HQ. He has become more focused and is eager to keep learning from the great coaches who are always there to support.”

The Raise the Bar programme has not only introduced young people to an alternative sport but has created a new club – school partnership resulting in a pathway to long-term participation, improved wellbeing, and competitive success in club and pathway sport. The club are now using this pilot to also widen the Raise the Bar Programme to other school sites across South Yorkshire.