Member Article

North East sporting partnership aims to increase grassroots participation

North East recruitment specialist, The Education Network - based in Newcastle, has teamed up with the Gateshead School Sport Partnership (GSSP) to support primary school PE teachers across the borough increase participation in sport and help to tackle rising obesity levels.

The Education Network has sponsored this year’s Gateshead School Sport Partnership’s Primary PE Conference at Gateshead Leisure Centre.

The event brought 54 primary school PE teachers and secondary school sport co-ordinators together to share best practice and discuss new ways to maximise participation in sport and raise the importance of healthy living among children and families.

Gateshead was recently identified as having one of the highest levels of obesity among schoolchildren on Tyneside. The health profiles were compiled for the Department of Health using data from local health authorities and schools.

Michelle Olsen from The Education Network’s partnership division, said: “Unlike many other partnerships, our approach is to give back as much as we can. The Education Network is much more than a recruitment company, through ongoing collaboration with our clients and the communities in which we operate, we are continually developing new ways to work together, add value and help to promote the benefits of sport and healthy lifestyles in schools and the wider community.

“We were keen to work with the Gateshead School Sport Partnership, it has a strong track record in raising standards through the improvement of physical education and school sport provision. The PE providers within the partnership work with approximately 26,000 pupils across the borough and we want to support them in educating children on the importance of diet and exercise in order to reach their full potential and live a long and healthy life.”

In addition to sponsoring the Gateshead School Sport Partnership’s Primary PE Conference, The Education Network has also funded new kit for PE teachers in 68 primary schools across Gateshead.

Alex Perkins, assistant strategic manager for Gateshead SSP, said: “We are delighted to be involved in this innovative partnership with The Education Network. Everyone in the Gateshead Schools Sport Partnership is passionate about delivering first class sporting activities within the borough and our relationship with the Education Network is helping us to achieve this.

“We have excellent PE practitioners who are dedicated to raising sport participation levels in our schools. They are knowledgeable about their subject and ideally placed to engage and educate young people through creative and innovative delivery.

“To have the added support of The Education Network is fantastic. We are thrilled with the sports kit they’ve provided. It’s a valuable resource for our PE co-coordinators, supporting them in their day-to-day work.”

The Education Network has 13 offices throughout the UK including Newcastle and Durham. Every office is staffed with experienced educational professionals, ex teachers and former head teachers who are passionate in the pursuit of supporting teachers across the country to deliver outstanding education opportunities to young people.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Round Table Solutions Ltd .