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Sports Leadership Academy: Developing Leadership & Life Skills
through Sport
Pupils are proving to be good sports after the
school was recognised nationally for its work in
developing skills. Longfield Academy of Sport
has become the first school in the Tees Valley to
be awarded a prestigious sports leadership
accolade.
Sports Leader UK, which runs the Sports
Leadership Academy project, has recognised the
work being carried out at the school by students
and staff. Longfield is being hailed a centre of
excellence for going beyond the call of duty in
leadership delivery.
Head teacher, Mrs Johnson, said: “We are very proud to achieve this award. It’s not just about sport, it
helps pupils to develop essential life skills, like working with others and teamwork. Sports leaders are
very involved with organising events in the school and the community and this award raises
awareness.”
Three years ago around 20 pupils were taking part in the initiative. Today, around 120 students enjoy
the benefits of the scheme. Being a sports leader gives pupils the opportunity to gain qualifications in
areas such as dance leadership, sport leadership and community sports leadership.
Sports Leader UK community development director Ms Blake, who presented the award, said: “This is
all about going that extra mile to get young people through awards and this is what Longfield School
has been doing. It’s about working with the community and building better skills. They have also been
introducing Maths and English to students in a way that they enjoy through their favourite sport, which
is a great achievement.”
Physical education teacher and centre course manager Miss Mason said: “Receiving the academy
status is fantastic because it is a reward to the students who are involved and it recognises all their
hard work. It’s good to see they are getting involved in something vocational and creating
opportunities for others in the school to join in too. I took part in the scheme myself as a pupil so it is
very rewarding to be involved in coaching them.”
Photo Front row (L-R): Natalie Dunbar, Olivia Wilbraham, Ms Blake, Mrs Johnson, Stacey Skippen, Miss Mason,
Back row, Annie Knight, Declan Simpson, Hollie Gartland, MrsParkin, Nicole Damianou, Katherine Holden and Jake Brown.
Maths Master Class – learning really does
add up!
Three Year 8 pupils from Longfield have had the opportunity to
attend a series of specialist mathematical workshops held by
Teesside University at the start of this term. Grace Davies,
Georgina Craddock and Charlotte Connor spent five Saturday
mornings attending tutorials given by a variety of guest speakers.
Maths teacher Mrs Kirkbride said: “The master classes gave them the opportunity to appreciate a
different type of maths that we may not necessarily teach in school and gain new confidence in their
ability.”
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