Working with Active Schools

Published 23/04/2024.  Last updated 08/08/2024

Background 

Newhill Primary School is part of Perth and Kinross. The school is situated in Blairgowrie. This is a small town in a rural setting with a population of less than 10,000. Newhill Primary School has a mixed catchment with areas of deprivation as well as pockets of hidden poverty. 

Rationale  

An analysis of need indicated that a number of P1 to P4 children had issues with gross and fine motor skills. In addition, a number of children were having difficulties with emotional regulation. Staff also expressed concerns regarding playground behaviour, particularly around football, in relation to turn taking and expectation management.  

Attainment Scotland Funding  

Pupil Equity Funding: £15000 to £24,999 

What Newhill Primary School did

Pupil equity funding was used to commission support from ‘Live Active Leisure’, through the provision of an ‘Active Schools Assistant’ for 37 hours per week. The remit included:  

  • support for identified learners during PE 
  • the delivery of gross motor skills programmes 
  • physical activity through play opportunities 
  • recreational sports and physical activity clubs before and after school 
  • playground buddies or leaders 
  • support to address barriers to participation identified by learners 
  • programmes that use sport and physical activity to build resilience 

The ‘Active Schools Assistant’ delivered a range of interventions focused on supporting wellbeing, gross and fine motor skills development and improving engagement and attendance. Interventions included: 

  • ‘Jungle Journey’ targeting identified groups of P1 learners  
  • an NHS programme assisting with the development of motor skills called ‘Fizzy’ to identified learners in P2 to P4 
  • playground support at play and lunchtimes through sport and targeted work with P6 and P7 girls to build confidence and increase engagement in PE 
  • the development of after school activities to increase wider opportunities 

Impact 

The impact has been significant. Baselines for gross and fine motor skills were taken and ongoing assessments demonstrated improvement across six target areas. Playground behaviour has improved with very positive feedback received from parents about the impact of modelled play, turn-taking and sporting expectations. The work with P6 and P7 girls has led to an increase in their engagement in physical activity as well as increased confidence. During a residential trip, every girl took part in all activities. There is also evidence of increased engagement in learning and improved attendance for identified learners. 

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Working with Active Schools

Published 23/04/2024.  Last updated 08/08/2024

Background 

Newhill Primary School is part of Perth and Kinross. The school is situated in Blairgowrie. This is a small town in a rural setting with a population of less than 10,000. Newhill Primary School has a mixed catchment with areas of deprivation as well as pockets of hidden poverty. 

Rationale  

An analysis of need indicated that a number of P1 to P4 children had issues with gross and fine motor skills. In addition, a number of children were having difficulties with emotional regulation. Staff also expressed concerns regarding playground behaviour, particularly around football, in relation to turn taking and expectation management.  

Attainment Scotland Funding  

Pupil Equity Funding: £15000 to £24,999 

What Newhill Primary School did

Pupil equity funding was used to commission support from ‘Live Active Leisure’, through the provision of an ‘Active Schools Assistant’ for 37 hours per week. The remit included:  

  • support for identified learners during PE 
  • the delivery of gross motor skills programmes 
  • physical activity through play opportunities 
  • recreational sports and physical activity clubs before and after school 
  • playground buddies or leaders 
  • support to address barriers to participation identified by learners 
  • programmes that use sport and physical activity to build resilience 

The ‘Active Schools Assistant’ delivered a range of interventions focused on supporting wellbeing, gross and fine motor skills development and improving engagement and attendance. Interventions included: 

  • ‘Jungle Journey’ targeting identified groups of P1 learners  
  • an NHS programme assisting with the development of motor skills called ‘Fizzy’ to identified learners in P2 to P4 
  • playground support at play and lunchtimes through sport and targeted work with P6 and P7 girls to build confidence and increase engagement in PE 
  • the development of after school activities to increase wider opportunities 

Impact 

The impact has been significant. Baselines for gross and fine motor skills were taken and ongoing assessments demonstrated improvement across six target areas. Playground behaviour has improved with very positive feedback received from parents about the impact of modelled play, turn-taking and sporting expectations. The work with P6 and P7 girls has led to an increase in their engagement in physical activity as well as increased confidence. During a residential trip, every girl took part in all activities. There is also evidence of increased engagement in learning and improved attendance for identified learners. 

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