Our sporting vision at Highfield Community Primary is to promote a balanced and healthy lifestyle. We aim to deliver a physical education package that encourages growth, resilience, determination, equality and exposure to experiences and opportunities that only sporting participation can bring. Through our thriving partnership with the SSP, our children are not just enjoying the sports they are immersed in, they are excelling within them. We see this as a crucial element to developing the emotional well-being of the pupils in our school.

What is the Primary PE and Sport Premium Funding?

The PE and sport premium is designed to help primary schools improve the quality of the PE and sports activities they offer their pupils. This funding is being jointly provided by the Departments for Education, Health and Culture, Media and Sport and will see money going directly to primary school head teachers to spend on improving the quality of sport and PE for their children. 

Schools with 17 or more eligible pupils receive £16,000 and an additional payment of £10 per pupil.  Here at Highfield, that meant £16,924 for the academic year 2022/23.

Purpose of the Funding 

The School Sport Premium money is ring-fenced and can only be spent on Physical Education and sport provision in school. Schools will be expected to use the funding to make additional and sustainable improvements to the quality of physical education, physical activity and sport that they offer.

The Department of Education recommends that you should use the PE and sport premium to secure improvements in the following 5 key indicators:

1. Increased confidence, knowledge and skills of all staff in teaching PE and sport
2. Engagement of all pupils in regular physical activity
3. The profile of PE and sport is raised across the school as a tool for whole school improvement
4. Broader experience of a range of sports and physical activities offered to all pupils
5. Increased participation in competitive sport

SSP

We have again used our funding to promote sport and enhance sporting provision for the children at Highfield Community Primary by continuing to invest in the SLA (Service Level Agreement) from the SSP (School Sports Partnership). We have also signed up for the 'Core', 'Premium' and 'Health & Wellbeing' SLAs. The services we receive directly from the SSP as part of these SLAs are outlined below.

PE and School Sport Service Level Agreement

Competition Programme - Access to an UPDATED calendar of borough wide programme of sporting competitions some of which provide a pathway to borough and county finals.

Festivals & Events -  Programme Access to a calendar of sporting festivals and events inclusive of virtual opportunities. Non-competitive events with an emphasis on participation, enjoyment and individual development.

TOP Sportsability Programme - Access to a fully inclusive calendar of opportunities for SEND and pupils who may not otherwise have the opportunity to represent the school.

Flagship #INSPIRE Events - Access to a series of mass participation, high profile local 'Flagship Events’ (examples include: Dance Festival, Fun Run, Primary Athletics)

School Games Opportunities (part of the School Games Framework)- Access to programmes, opportunities and resources linked to the National School Games Framework

Professional development - access to a range of opportunities including network meetings, school sport conference and specific areas of CPD identified.

Activities and Pupil Engagement - access to school sport coaching programme, activity days, playground leader training and gifted and talented support.

Reward and Recognition - access to a cross-curricular framework designed to raise the profile of PE and school sport as well as an awards framework to recognise high quality work and innovative practice in school.

Other benefits - access to a central Gateshead SSP website with a bank of resources including policy templates and guidance as well as dedicated School Games Mark Support.

We also purchase additional credits to give us access to cluster PE and School Sport events at our local secondary school.

Health and Well-being Service Level Agreement

The Gateshead Schools Health and Wellbeing Service (GSHWS) is underpinned by the belief that ALL children & young people have a right to be healthy and that healthier children are more likely to achieve at school and in life. Buying into the SLA supports us by giving us:

· Access to the Gateshead Schools Health & Wellbeing Award Framework (inc. Whole School Review Tool)

· Dedicated staff support (2 x ½ days - completion of Whole School Review & School Action Plan)

· Access to a minimum of 2 centrally co-ordinated Health & Wellbeing opportunities

· 2 x delegate places at the annual Schools Health & Wellbeing Conference

· Access to termly Health & Wellbeing Co-ordinator support forums

· Access to 1 ‘in-school’ intervention/activity linked to identified areas of priority

· Annual subscription to the Schools Health & Wellbeing website and a wide range of online resources

· Regular updates and examples of good practice

· Discounted access to APPROVED external Health & Wellbeing providers

· Signposting to wider Health & Wellbeing services (e.g. sexual health, substance misuse, emotional health & wellbeing)

We also recognise the importance of staff health and well-being so we buy into the Health and Well-being Extra which gives us access to a wealth of staff wellness resources and initiatives including how to measure staff wellness in school.