Fife is a vast and diverse region with large towns and many rural areas, and for the local Active Schools teams, it is clear that would be no singular approach which would suit all parties. However, the local Active Schools teams have been working together to share ideas and look at different ways that successful projects could be adapted across the different areas of the region.
With the communal aim of keeping students Active Every Day, Jennifer Noble, Active Schools Co-ordinator for the Glenwood cluster knows the importance of regular physical activity to students.
“Being active helps young people’s physical and mental wellbeing. It goes beyond physical gain. It regulates mood and promotes relaxation alongside building essential social and emotional skills. Being active can help young people experience what it’s like to have a passion for something and take part in new opportunities.”
Working with the community
Using data collected about participation in Fife, Active Schools teams have identified keys barriers that children face in accessing sport and physical activity. With this data, Fife Active Schools secured funding for Be Active Instructors to focus specifically on the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion targets. Be Active sessions are supplied for pupils identified by primary schools and delivered during curricular time and/or extra-curricular time. Once the block of school-based sessions ends, participants are offered the opportunity to take part in additional community-based sessions close to where they live free of charge.
In addition to these sessions, the Hub Connect programme allows community sports clubs who are part of the local community sport hub network to deliver activity during term time to targeted young people. Identified through a referral process, participants receive physical activity across social deprivation areas. There is a direct link between the Be Active and Hub Connect programmes, with pupils offered free memberships at local clubs when transitioning from the BE Active schools programme. However, it’s not just additional sporting opportunities available to Active Schools participants in the Fife area. The Active Eat programme also identifies young people and their families, and gives them the opportunity to attend weekly activity sessions delivered by a sports coach with food packages being provided by local business and linking to foodbank services.
Building confidence
Together We Can is a programme that has been developed for primary and secondary pupils who may be experiencing low self-esteem, anxiety, poor body image or underdeveloped peer relationships. It allows participants the opportunity to make new friends and build confidence in a fun and safe environment. The initiative was introduced to address and remove barriers that young people experience when trying to lead an active lifestyle and maintain healthy wellbeing.
The programme uses a blended approach of physical activity sessions and classroom activities where areas of wider wellbeing are developed through group work and discussions. The programme can be unique to each school, such as being gender or age specific.
Active on the way to school
As part of the Daily Mile Kingdom, primary schools are working in partnership with Bikeability in Fife, implementing a programme of cycling training which gives young people the confidence to cycle safely. This programme builds on the success of Cycling Scotland training staff and parent volunteers. Most of Fife’s schools have now signed up to deliver cycle training to all P5-P7 pupils. Fife Active Schools support this partnership - and also help Bikeability in Fife to arrange training and access to cluster bikes for those who don’t have a bike.
However, schools are also working with PTAs to support those who wish to walk to and from primary school in a safe way. With a need for schools to have school travel plans, walking buses are seen as an excellent way of reducing the environmental impact of car congestion outside the school gates, pollution, and speed near schools. It also encourages physical activity by teaching young people the skills to walk safely, how to identify safe routes to school, share valuable time with parents/carers, and other young people.
Find out more
- About Active Schools Fife
- About Active Schools on Sport First
