Sporting chance for pupils through new initiative
The physics behind David Beckham's swerving free-kicks could be on the curriculum at two Perth schools under a proposal to establish a new 'Sports Comprehensive' initiative.
The Lifelong Learning Committee will be asked to approve the plan for continuing to develop the joint initiative at St John's Academy and Perth Grammar School. The Sports Comprehensive initiative uses sport and PE as a vehicle for raising achievement, developing citizenship, improving school ethos, reducing social exclusion and building positive lifestyles.
The initiative would also provide opportunities to enhance the delivery of the Curriculum for Excellence and promote joint working across subjects, bringing other aspects of sport into the classroom building on pupils' existing PE classes and learning. The Sports Comprehensive is additionally intended to build links with local clubs and national sports governing bodies, and to act as a hub for sports festivals across Perth.
The proposal is also planned to ensure the best use for pupils and the community of the enhanced sports facilities that the North Inch Community Campus will provide. The campus, due to open later in March 2010, will include St John's Academy. In recent years, Perth Grammar has also undergone extensive improvement of its sports provision. The report to Committee recommends a joint campus approach to best develop the considerable potential in the facilities.
Lifelong Learning Convener, Councillor Liz Grant, said: "Participation in school sports has a number of clear benefits in the development of young people, and there is increasing evidence linking physical activity with improved academic performance.
"Both St John's Academy and Perth Grammar School are already working successfully in partnership to deliver the physical education programme, and they offer PE pupils both an academic and a vocational route to obtain qualifications. A joint Sports Comprehensive will develop the good practice that is already in place. I am pleased that the schools are already developing a number of projects in different subject areas, for example the biomechanics of sport in physics, and studying sports in other countries in modern language classes.
"The Sports Comprehensive scheme also has a very strong community element. Both schools have a central role to play in providing high quality facilities in the centre of Muirton that the community can access extensively. Approximately 2,000 pupils and 6,000 residents will potentially benefit from what is on offer, particularly the George Duncan Athletics Arena at Perth Grammar School and the new facilities available through the Investment In Learning programme at the North Inch Community Campus.
"Sports Comprehensive status would provide pupils and the wider community with a range of academic, vocational social and health opportunities by making sport more accessible to people, and at the same time encouraging healthy lifestyles."
The proposal will be considered by the Lifelong Learning Committee at a meeting on Wednesday 10th March. Councillors will be asked to agree to the continued development of the Sports Comprehensive, with a progress report coming back to Committee in a year's time.
