In 2013 the Government announced that all Primary schools would receive funding to develop Physical Education and School Sport.
Each school must account for the way in which they spend their funding and there are specific guidelines for how to and how not to use the funding.
The Education, Health & Wellbeing group are working with Primary schools to ensure that this funding goes even further and we have developed a unique model which will ensure continued support for our schools even after the funding finishes.
The social value act came into force on the 31st January 2013 and is designed to ensure that all public bodies consider the wider social value that could be achieved when services are commissioned.
It is here that we are working to demonstrate that schools can achieve much greater social value if and when they consider the impact that out-of-school services can have. We are demonstrating that these services, when delivered as not-for-profit, can lead to the employment of additional qualified teachers and support staff to work with the school as well as ensuring that children are active in the ‘critical window’ for physical activity.
The Education, Health & Wellbeing group are supporting the wider community through some key objectives:
- To develop children, school, staff and the community’s understanding of the importance of Physical Education and the significant positive effects exercise has on both physical and mental health;
- To encourage pupils to take part in a range of high quality, out-of-school-hours activities that engage individuals whilst they are enjoying and achieving;
- To allow working parents the option of a 9-5 working day and not be confined to working around the current school day. On average women who live and work in the county, work 30.3 hours per week compared to 42.3 hours for their male counterparts (East Sussex in Figures, 2012). According to research by the Resolution Foundation, 44% of part time working mothers cited that a major barrier to accessing full time work was either that they could not find work around their caring commitments or there was a lack of affordable quality childcare;
- To develop partnerships and support local colleges and universities to enable students to engage in apprenticeship schemes, volunteering opportunities and work, through participation in each project.
Every Child Matters
Education, Health & Wellbeing are committed to ensuring that all young people are provided with quality opportunities to develop to their full potential. This is why we employ qualified teachers and those who understand that the child comes first, then the activity. Every Child Matters is key to our delivery and we work to embed these outcomes in everything we do.
Staying safe
Safeguarding young people is paramount and staff will question any issues that might arise with regard to child protection. It is a duty, placed upon all providers of services for children and young people, that we do everything possible to protect children and young people from harm. We may ask you for a password for collecting your child and would also ask that you inform us who will be collecting them at the end of each session.
Being healthy
Education, Health & Wellbeing ensure that active, fit and healthy lifestyles are promoted in everything we do. Please send your child in with a healthy lunch that will allow for energy to be released slowly. Starchy food and fruit are an important and good source of fuel for the body.
Enjoying and achieving
Education, Health & Wellbeing work to ensure that enjoyment is the bottom line. Activities need to be fun and we want to develop young people, their skills, knowledge and understanding. From this, confidence and motivation is evoked. SKiL CIC provide opportunity for individuals to set their own goals and challenges as achievable targets.
Making a positive contribution
Education, Health & Wellbeing consult everyone involved in our activities to ensure that we are delivering sessions that are meaningful and purposeful for those that take part. We find out what young people want to do, we then work to find a way to facilitate this within an enjoyable environment. During our holiday academies, young people choose the activity they would like to participate in for each session throughout the day. The more young people we can involve, the more choice we are able to offer.
Achieving economic wellbeing
Education, Health & Wellbeing are committed to training and development of individuals who would like the opportunity to pursue a career working to support the community. Working with local schools and colleges we support a range of programmes that prepare young people for work but we also look to support children to develop as independent learners and thinkers, able to problem solve alone and as part of a group.