Active Schools at Giffnock Primary
Hello, my name is Craig Gordon and I am the Active Schools Coordinator (ASC) for Giffnock Primary.
What is the Active Schools Programme?
Active Schools is a key element of the Scottish Government’s drive to get Scotland More Active More Often. The programme is funded by the Scottish Government and Sports Scotland in partnership with local authorities. In East Renfrewshire there are 7 full time Active School coordinators, one for each cluster.
https://www.ercultureandleisure.org/activeschools
The overall aim of the programme is to get:
“MORE CHILDREN, MORE ACTIVE, MORE OFTEN”.
It is recommended that children are active for 1 hour or more a day. This will provide health benefits both now and into adulthood. Children that are active are less likely to be overweight, obese, or suffer from diabetes and health problems later in life. Children also perform better in class as they can have better concentration if they lead an active lifestyle.
It is important to ensure your child is doing the following types of activity:
Aerobic Activity:
Aerobic activity should make up most of your child’s 60 or more minutes of physical activity each day. This can include either moderate-intensity aerobic activity, such as brisk walking, or vigorous-intensity activity, such as running. Be sure to include vigorous-intensity aerobic activity on at least 3 days per week.
Muscle and Bone Strengthening:
Include muscle strengthening activities, such as gymnastics or push-ups, at least 3 days per week as part of your child’s 60 or more minutes.
The fundamental aim of the Active Schools Programme is to offer school aged children the motivation and opportunities to adopt active, healthy lifestyles now and into adulthood. These opportunities will be provided before, during and after school as well as in the wider community.
Some of the areas of work will involve, amongst other things, the following programmes:
- Active travel—encouraging children to walk or cycle to school and supporting Giffnock’s walking buses and cycling programmes.
- After school activity clubs with an emphasis on those who may not regularly participate in physical activity.
- Curricular PE support for teachers including the provision of in-service training. Ensuring every child gets 2 hours of P.E.
- Inter-school sports – School Sport teams will be formed and will regularly play against other local schools.
- PlayZone (active playgrounds) –Playground supervisors and Primary 6/7 pupils will be trained to deliver traditional games e.g. hopscotch & skipping during break-times.
- Supporting existing physical activity & health initiatives e.g. walk to school week, school sports days, and school health week.
- Sports club links—involving local sports clubs in school activities e.g. taster sessions for new sports.
- Fitness testing & activity logbook (P7)—to compare fitness levels across East Renfrewshire and across Scotland.
- Volunteer recruitment & development—to support school activities and teams, volunteers (parents, teachers etc) will be trained and supported in a range of activities and sports.
- Apply for funding grants and source funding from other agencies to support programmes and start up new projects.
- Work with all primary schools within the Woodfarm cluster to develop a new P7 transition event.
In order to maintain these initiatives, the school does require parental help and support. Experience of sport doesn’t matter as I can help to get everyone qualified in coaching or leading a number of activities.
So if you are interested in volunteering or would like to get more information on the active schools programme please contact me on the details below and I will be more than happy to help!
Craig
