The Youth Sport Trust works in partnership in Thanet, Kent, to give young people new opportunities and to improve their cycling skills
What was the challenge?
One of the schools we have worked closely with in Thanet faced several challenges in developing physical activity within their school, including a lack of opportunities and poor parental engagement. The school is in an area of deprivation, so many pupils do not have access to bikes and are unable to ride them.
What did the Youth Sport Trust do?
The Youth Sport Trust worked with the local Active Partnership and the Active Travel Team to apply for Open School Facilities (OSF) funding on behalf of the school. Just under £4,000 was secured. This enabled the school to provide a 12-week 'Learn to Ride' programme, purchase 10 bikes from a local bike shop along with helmets and playground equipment, and develop an after-school cycle club. The local community were asked to donate any unwanted bikes and a local organisation, The Bike Shed, restored the bikes and donated them to the school. A cycle celebration day and parent visit day were held to promote, highlight and celebrate the work of the pupils.
What was the impact?
Pupils who were chosen as part of the programme can now all ride a bike and can borrow them from the school. The headteacher stated that the celebration day was the school's highest ever parental engagement event – it helped forge links with parents and build trust. The Local Authority and Multi-Academy Trust headteacher also attended, and there is now a desire to replicate this across the Trust.
This work has also helped the Youth Sport Trust to strengthen its relationships with local partners, and there is now a greater appetite to work with the Youth Sport Trust to develop an action plan.
What were the transferable lessons?
Working with local partners has been key to making this work happen and will help to ensure it is sustainable.
The Youth Sport Trust supports effective partnership working and localised programme adaptation in Growth Areas in Nottingham
What was the challenge?
In Summer 2024, Active Notts (the local Active Partnership) identified the need to revitalise the Girls Active programme in Nottingham, following staff changes and a loss of momentum in some schools. The Growth Area insight report for Nottingham highlighted that girls (particularly from these backgrounds) were among the most inactive groups and faced disproportionate barriers to engagement in physical activity. This created a clear case for targeted, innovative and collaborative action.
What did the Youth Sport Trust do?
What began as an idea for a potential online intervention evolved, thanks to additional funding, into a multi-layered, face-to-face programme designed around the specific needs of the community. Key elements included strategic partnership working, localised delivery, an inspiration day and the use of Girls Active Ambassadors. These were local women working with individual schools to support the girls with the ongoing programme. Youth Sport Trust tutors provided online training for teachers and peer-led activity development opportunities to support building capacity in schools.
What was the impact?
Following the activities, girls returned to their schools equipped to lead physical activity sessions for their peers, increasing both participation and confidence. The programme also sparked professional networking between teachers and more informal connections, as evidenced at the Active Notts/Derbyshire PE, Sport and Physical Activity Conference, where participating staff were seen connecting and spending time together.
What were the transferable lessons?
Tailored, collaborative interventions, underpinned by data and driven by community voice, can meaningfully address inequality in physical activity participation.
The Youth Sport Trust supports a health and wellbeing culture in schools in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP)
What was the challenge?
There had been a lack of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) opportunities in PE for secondary schools across BCP since September 2019.
What did the Youth Sport Trust do?
Youth Sport Trust staff used System Partner Innovation Funding to deliver a secondary school PE, school sport and physical activity (PESSPA) event in partnership with local, regional and national organisations. Working closely with the local PESSPA network group, the Youth Sport Trust identified specific needs in the area and planned an event that invited both PE staff and senior leaders from local schools, alongside representatives from Public Health, the local authority and Sport England. The Youth Sport Trust led the event, co-developing an action plan and facilitating structured time at the end to help attendees define next steps and consider practical implementation in their schools.
What was the impact?
The Youth Sport Trust has strengthened relationships in the region, including the formation of a new partnership with the BCP Mental Health in Schools Support Team. This collaboration led to a successful joint application to the local Health Trust, enabling the delivery of Active in Mind in five BCP schools.
“Excellent way to highlight the huge importance of physical movement and literacy and its correlation with positive mental health and wellbeing.”
What were the transferable lessons?
A key takeaway was the importance of building in time during events to agree on follow-up actions and schedule future engagement. This helps sustain momentum and ensures continued support for schools.
“Inspirational speakers, great resources, chance to network and share ideas with practical ways to do it.”
The Youth Sport Trust helps practitioners deliver more inclusive PE in Burnley, Lancashire, to better meet the needs of young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
What was the challenge?
PE was not always accessible for all pupils, particularly those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
What did the Youth Sport Trust do?
The Youth Sport Trust organised an inclusive PE CPD, designed to equip teachers from two schools in Burnley with practical strategies, tools and resources to deliver high-quality, inclusive PE. The CPD package included a flexible model tailored to individual school needs, with three delivery approaches trialled:
- Class Support: assisting with 1:1 support, behaviour management and pupil engagement
- Small Group Work: supporting a small group within a whole-class lesson, modifying as needed
- Separate Group Delivery: working with a select group of pupils in a quieter environment.
What was the impact?
Teachers from both primary schools involved in this trial reported that they feel more confident and better equipped to plan and deliver inclusive PE. The introduction of varied game formats reduced downtime, resulting in more physical activity, along with improved behaviour and better targeted instruction. Both schools noted that they wish the support could continue beyond the pilot, emphasising the value of specialist input to improve pupil outcomes.
What were the transferable lessons?
The pilot highlighted the positive impact of embedding specialist support into schools to enhance inclusive PE delivery. Modelling best practice and tailoring guidance can help staff create more engaging, accessible and effective PE lessons for all pupils.