In November, the Sixth Form Girls Activators were short listed at The ‘Girls Active and Youth Sports Trust Young Changemaker’ Awards Ceremony in  the category of Girls Active Innovative Project  Award, which took place as a virtual event.

The Girls Active awards offer a fantastic opportunity for young people to not only be recognised, but allow them to reflect upon and review the impact of their work over the last year. They are a celebration of  the work girls are leading to get fellow students active and enjoying PE and physical  activity. The programme harnesses young people’s talents and voice and encourages them to gain confidence to make a difference to others through sport. Barriers to participation in physical activity and sport tells us that one of the best ways to engage young people is through encouragement from their peers, something all these young people have done brilliantly.

Ali Oliver MBE, Chief Executive of the Youth Sport Trust, said: “To date, the Awards have recognised hundreds of young people and some incredible achievements, both as positive peer influencers and participants. Congratulations to this year’s cohort.”

The Sixth Form Girls Activators were shortlisted for showing an enthusiasm and passion for developing and promoting sports to fellow students. The girls applied for the position in September 2020 and were interviewed over zoom in  January 2021. They then went on to attend a series of online training sessions addressing what it means to be a sports activator, understanding participants, planning & leading sessions, philosophy and ethics, safeguarding and NGB awards.  Following on from their training, the girls collaborated to design their kit which they wore when delivering PE enrichment sessions to their Sixth Form peers. After the uplift in working in bubbles the girls were then able to work with the younger Year 9 Girls Active students to mentor them during the Girls Only Sports Club which they created.

Spring Term saw the face to face visit and workshop delivered by Athlete Mentor and Olympic Swimmer Tom Haffield, giving them valuable time to work together and plan ahead for the following year.

In the summer, the girls were employed through the Holiday Activity and Food summer programme held at Vandyke, targeting pupil premium and free school meals students. Looking ahead we plan to grow and develop the Girls Active programmes even further by encouraging even more girls, and now boys to get active through the inclusion of the ‘Boys to Move’ YST project.

The all new VANDYKE ACTIVE after-school club for ALL STUDENTS will commence in the spring term on  Wednesday 5th January from 3.05 – 4pm.

Mrs Ward, Assistant School Games Organiser, Leighton Linslade School Sports Partnership