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Howard's Way.... a weekly column from the Rt. Hon. Michael Howard QC. MP. 

29 January 2009

The highlight of last Friday was my visit to the Harvey Grammar School to see some of the work done by the Shepway School Sport Partnership.

This is part of a national Living for Sport scheme sponsored by Sky Sports.

The main aim of the scheme is to help those students who are becoming, or who already are, discouraged from school life.

Those responsible for the scheme believe that sport can be used to initiate and inspire young people to get the most out of school life. The initiative is very flexible, giving the schools who take part the choice over who should be involved, how best to use sport to engage with them and what the outcome should be.

The Shepway Partnership was established in 2005 following the successful Sports College bid of the Harvey Grammar School. The Partnership includes all 35 primary schools, 6 secondary schools and 3 special schools within Shepway District.

It had much work to do.

In 2005, pupils in Shepway schools were receiving, on average, only 86 minutes of PE a week. Only 51% of schools in Shepway provided two hours of PE a week for their pupils. Schools tended to provide ‘traditional’ sports, with little opportunity to try different areas of need.

Now 89% of pupils in Shepway are receiving two hours of PE every week – 4% above the national average. A record number of schools have received the ‘Active Mark’ award. The Partnership received the “2007 Youth Sport Trust Innovations Award” for the design of its website. And, not surprisingly in view of these achievements, the partnership has been recognised as a ‘High Performing School Sport Partnership – a 2012 Pathfinder.’

Crucially, the children who have taken part in the programme have benefitted. Pupil attendance and punctuality have improved, the behaviour of pupils at lunchtimes is better and concentration and readiness to learn have been enhanced.

Much of this is due to the enthusiasm and dedication of Penny Matkin. Our thanks and congratulations are due to her and the rest of the team. Yet another heart warming example of how people can make a difference.