Advocacy Network

The Youth Sport Trust advocacy network consists of PE Leads, Headteachers and MAT strategic leads. It exists to connect, align and build alliances across the education sector, growing a movement that champions the role of PE, school sport and physical activity in improving wellbeing for young people and raising standards in schools.

What does the Advocacy Network do?

The network is responsible for the following functions, delivered through the context of subject level and whole school practice, educational leadership and national policy influence:

  • Communication - Driving the delivery and innovation of PE, school sport and physical activity; providing examples of good practice for others in the profession to build the credibility and profile of the subject
  • Strategy - Demonstrating and influencing the value of high-quality PE, school sport and physical activity to improve wellbeing and raise standards across school(s)
  • Education - Advocating across a Trust and/or locality in a way that moves peers to increase opportunities for young people to be active
  • Policy - Driving policy change and the role of PE and sport within education as part of a united movement of changemakers.

Find out more about the Advocacy Network

Find your local network members using our interactive map. Or, take a look at our member spotlights below, showcasing a selection of our current members.

Katie Chapman

School/MAT: Little Common School - DCAT

Role: Executive PE lead and Assistant Headteacher

YST Advocate: Lead PE, sport and wellbeing catalyst (primary)

Region: East Sussex

Unique Context: Little Common is a three-form primary school in East Sussex, larger than the national average. Our SEN register, including those with EHCPs, is below the national average, as is our Pupil Premium cohort. Located in a growing village, our school has limited racial diversity, with most pupils being White-British.

Sarah Johnson

School/MAT: Redhill Academy / Redhill Academy Trust

Role: Director of PE

YST advocate: Lead PE, sport and wellbeing catalyst (MAT)

Region: Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire

Unique Context: Academy Trust with 16 schools across the Midlands, 10 secondary, and 6 primary.  Pupil premium is 30-40% across the schools and EAL 7-10%.

Owen Lamprey

School/MAT: Clifton Primary School

Role: Lead Practitioner Health and Wellbeing and SGO

YST advocate: Lead PE, sport and wellbeing catalyst (primary)

Region: West Midlands

Unique Context: High levels of deprivation, high number of EAL pupils, and many with life limiting health indicators. 4 form entry school of over 900 pupils, on a relatively small school site.

James Mooney

School/MAT: Cabot Learning Federation

Role: Senior Curriculum Leader for Physical Education, School Sport and Physical Activity

YST advocate: Lead PE, sport and wellbeing catalyst (MAT)

Region: South West

Unique Context: Academy Trust with 35 primary and secondary schools in the South West. Pupil premium numbers average 30% and EAL 20%, which varies widely across the schools in the trust.

Sophie Newman

School/MAT: New College Leicester

Role: Director of Learning for PE and Vocational Education

YST advocate: Lead PE, sport and wellbeing catalyst (secondary)

Region: East Midlands

Unique Context: New College Leicester is situated in New Parks where there is significantly poor health inequalities and real economic disadvantage. Our mission is to secure the best possible life changes for all students by enriching them with a fully rounded education experience.

Guy Wnuk

School/MAT: Stratford upon Avon School

Role: Head of PE

YST advocate: Lead PE, sport and wellbeing catalyst (secondary)

Region: Warwickshire

Unique Context: 1900 students, mixed 11-19 comprehensive, 20% FSM.