The Stroud District School Games programme continues to raise the levels of health and well being with another engaging year in 2019.

The nationally recognised scheme of School Games ensures that a programme of sporting competitions, festivals and development events accompany health and well being activities that help promote healthier and sustainable lifestyle choices in the area’s young people.

With activities catering for children aged 5 to 18, the list of sports available includes handball, netball, hockey, mountain biking, orienteering, gymnastics and debating.

This year saw another rise in engagement and participation, the areas of Stroud, Dursley and Wotton have become further involved in the scheme, with more schools committing more resources to participating.

The academic year of 2019/20 is set to be the most influential yet with approximately 5,000 opportunities being provided for children to participate, this is added to by the increase in opportunities within the schools in preparing students for these events.

Accompanying the event is the School Games Mark.  The three levelled award of bronze, silver and gold allows schools to apply for a mark dependant on their commitment to physical health and well being.

This year has seen the greatest reward for schools, with one bronze, six silver and nine gold School Games Mark’s awarded.  Schools rewarded included Uley (bronze), Kingswood, Amberley, Whitminster, Cam Hopton, Rodborough and Callowell (all silver) and Thrupp, Horsley, Lakefield, Sharpness, Cashes Green, Gastrells, Longney, North Nibley and Bisley Blue Coat (all Gold).

James Jeffery, School Games Organiser for Stroud said: “This year has by far been the most rewarding yet for the district.  I am seeing more schools commit time and resources to the School Games programme and in turn then commit to engaging children in their schools into healthier lifestyle choices in and outside of school.

“The increase in commitment is a result of some great teamwork between schools, their communication on good practice has helped identify the best methods to help negotiate the demands in time when educational resources are stretched.

“During the past four years as School Games Organiser I have benefitted from a great cohort of schools who are seeking ways to improve their provision for our district’s children, they have worked closely with me to help identify ways to engage and provide the activities that will entice children to participate both in competitions against schools and those within their own school environment, it really has been a rewarding process for all.

“The objective continues to be to increase the provision and engagement from our schools, help identify the areas for development and requirements to fulfil the potential we have in Stroud to create a healthy and successful generation of young people.” 

School Games also benefits greatly from partnering organisations, with Allsorts who provide support for families whose children have additional needs, Stroud District Council who continue to help drive healthier programmes, Active Gloucestershire who manage the county School Games programme, Atlas Sports for delivery of further competitions, and successful working partnerships between Archway School based James Jeffery and staff members in Katherine Lady Berkeley School in Wotton.

The programme continues to offer a range of activities to schools, if you would like your school engaged further or wish to establish a link please contact James Jeffery at Archway School for more information.