Sport and physical activity sector agrees out-of-curriculum coach deployment guidance for primary schools
The first detailed guidance on how the sport and physical activity sector’s professional standards framework will affect the deployment of coaches in primary schools out of curriculum time in England has been published.
The Minimum Deployment Requirements Guidance factsheet has been developed in partnership by Active Partnerships, Association for Physical Education (afPE), CIMSPA, ukactive KIDS, UK Coaching and the Youth Sport Trust. The project has been led by Sport England, with support from the Department for Education.
The factsheet provides headteachers at a primary school level with a “single source of truth” as to what qualifications and certification are required from sports coaches in their schools outside of curriculum time. It also details a transitional phase from now until academic year 2022/23 as the whole sector moves to a deployment requirements approach based on agreed professional standards that have been created by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity.
Nadhim Zahawi, Children and Families Minister, said: “A good coach can be the difference between loving a sport or never trying it again. As we work on the detail of our School Sport Action Plan – to help give all pupils the opportunity to find a sport they love and set them up to lead healthy, active lives – this useful guidance will help schools and their staff to deliver fun, inspiring sports sessions.”
Tim Hollingsworth, Sport England Chief Executive, said: “Our insight clearly shows that enjoyment is the biggest driver of activity for children. We need to make sure that anyone deploying coaches listens to and understands what inspires children to get active.
“This professional standards framework has the potential to do just that and could form the foundation for a new era of coach education. Implementing the guidance will ensure that primary schools have coaches that can deliver great activity experiences in a safe and fun way. And with the imminent publication of the School Sport Action plan, it is critical that we see more robust quality assurance from external providers to ensure that more young people benefit from active lives.”
Tara Dillon, CIMSPA CEO also commented: “This is a first for our sector and a real milestone. Sport England have bought together six organisations who together possess the expertise to offer primary education coach deployers real clarity on this issue.
“For CIMSPA this is a perfect continuation of the collaborative ethos that has established the professional standards framework across UK sport and physical activity. We look forward to working with our partners to share this guidance and help headteachers deliver safe and effective activity opportunities.”
CIMSPA education guidance library link
Further information resources are now being created for this online hub to help headteachers understand and implement the new minimum deployment requirements.
The coach deployment guidance expert partners:
Sport England
Our vision is that everyone in England feels able to take part in sport or activity, regardless of age, background or ability.
Active Partnerships
Our vision is that an active lifestyle is the social norm for everyone. There are 43 Active Partnerships across England who work collaboratively with local partners to create the conditions for an active nation using the power of sport and physical activity to transform lives.
afPE
The Association for Physical Education (afPE) is the only PE Subject Association in the UK. We are committed to being the representative agency of choice for people and organisations delivering or supporting the delivery of physical education, school sport and physical activity in educational contexts and in the wider community.
Our purpose is to promote and maintain high standards and safe practice in all aspects and at all levels of physical education, school sport and physical activity, influencing developments at national and local levels that will impact on pupils’ physical health and emotional well-being.
CIMSPA
The Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity is the professional development body for the UK’s sport and physical activity sector, committed to supporting, developing and enabling professionals and organisations to succeed and, as a result, inspire our nation to become more active.
Together we’re developing a vibrant, UK-wide sport and physical activity sector, with the highest standards of service delivery.
ukactive KIDS
ukactive, the UK’s leading not-for-profit health body for the physical activity sector, is working with local and national partners to develop a policy-driven, practical approach to increasing accessibility and providing more opportunities for children and young people to be physically active.
UK Coaching
Inspiring active communities through #GreatCoaching. With your help, we’re developing inspiring coaches and bringing the transformative power of coaching to communities across the UK. Why? We believe great coaching leads to healthier, happier communities. We don’t mind whether you call yourself a coach, facilitator, instructor, leader, teacher or trainer. Whatever your title, if you’re helping people to be active, you’re part of the coaching family and we’re here to support your development.
Youth Sport Trust
We are a national children’s charity passionate about creating a future where every child enjoys the life-changing benefits that come from play and sport. We are on a mission to pioneer new ways of using sport to improve children’s wellbeing and give them a brighter future.