Welcome to the September Newsletter.

We know that for many of you, it’s unsettling to not yet have a full plan of action for your lead school role. We hope that over the coming months you’ll continue to support us to shape the role and we look forward to working with you to support those who need us most.

ACTIONS

Book to Attend Our Lead School Virtual Connect - 12 October

The first Lead School virtual event will take place on Wednesday 12 October where we will explore our new ways of working, the implications for you as a school, and develop a way of supporting, funding, and engaging with you in the coming months.

You can book your place via this link and the Zoom link will be shared closer to the date.

Please also hold the date in the diary for the second virtual event taking place on Tuesday 29 November.

UPDATES

YST Programmes Available for Sign Up

We have launched three programmes focused on physical and mental health that you can express an interest in running this academic year. They are listed below, and you can complete the expression of interest forms here.

The window is open until Friday 07 October 2022. Once we have the expressions of interest in we will make a decision as to which schools will be involved. This is a new way of working, as we want to gauge the level of demand for our programmes and make sure we are targeting the schools and communities that need our help the most to build back from Covid. Please note, these programmes are not specific or directly connected to your role as lead schools, they are wider opportunities that we want to raise awareness of.

• Active in Mind - an Athlete Mentor and student-led intervention, designed around the importance of looking after the body, mindset, and environment to improve mental health and wellbeing issues present your school
• Active in Mind (teacher CPD) - designed to equip educators with the principles of supporting positive physical and mental health for the benefit of targeted groups of pupils who are struggling with engaging with learning and school life
• Boys Move - a professional development programme designed to equip educators with the principles of how to use sport and play to address the mental health and wellbeing issues of adolescent boys and engage them with learning.

PUBLICATIONS AND RESOURCES

Friendships for life and memories made at UK’s biggest multi-sport competition for young people – School Games

West Malling teen Ellis Kottas wins medal at Sports Games National Finals on anniversary of spinal cord injury – Kent Online

A teenager has won a medal in a national wheelchair race two years on from a life-changing injury. Ellis Kottas, 19, from West Malling, took up wheelchair racing last summer after she suffered a spinal cord injury in September 2020 which left her hospitalised for months.

Education inequalities: building a more equal system - Tes

In the final part of the series, the authors of a major IFS report on the disadvantage gap highlight the key pain points that policymakers must focus on fixing – and why it matters for all of us.

We need to talk more about mental health in sport: Bethany Firth – Irish News

Commonwealth Games Gold medallist Bethany Firth has spoken candidly about living with a learning disability and how swimming changed her life.

70 health organisations urge Government not to abandon anti-obesity measures – Daily Mail

Leaders of 70 health organisations have signed an open letter expressing "profound concern" about rumoured reversals to obesity policies.

Sport and Recreation Alliance responds to government announcement on energy bills support – Sport and Recreation Alliance

The Sport and Recreation Alliance has responded to the government’s recent announcement on energy bills support for businesses.