Pupils across the Beswick and Middleton Federation will welcome a new member of staff when they start the school term.
Martin Rowlands has agreed to join the schools as Sports Development Officer. Steve Woodhouse, Executive Headteacher for the Federation, sees the move as being a massive boost for the children.
“PE and Sport is an entitlement for young people and we want to raise its profile,” he said. “Children need to be active and engaged in as many sporting activities as possible. Attracting a coach of Martin’s calibre is a huge positive for us and shows our commitment to enhancing the schools’ sports provision.”
From October, schools will receive funding from the Government, initially for two years, to support the delivery of PE as part of the Olympic legacy. Mr Woodhouse believes his school structure has allowed the money to be spent more wisely. “Our Federation of two schools and collaboration with Bishop Wilton Primary School gives us benefits from the economies of scale. We can pool the Government money from the three schools and afford to employ Martin for three days per week.”
Mr Rowlands is a highly regarded, experienced sports coach, who has worked most recently for the ugby Football League. One of his tasks is to increase the levels of participation in sport across the schools and he can’t wait to get started.
He said: “Children of all ages need to be active and enjoying sport. My new role will mean many more children can access sport and develop their potential. I will be organising matches and tournaments to give children the chance to showcase their developing skills. The school staff here are all committed to moving forward and that is one of the reasons I chose to join them.’
Part of the new development officer’s role will be to work alongside the existing school staff; something Mr Woodhouse thinks will support succession. “I want Martin to coach the teachers and teaching assistants as well as the children. If the funding stops, we want to be in a position where our school staff can continue the coaching and development into the future.”