Clydebank College - Active Schools Project
The Active Schools network works within Scottish schools and communities aims to offer all children and young people the motivation and opportunity to ‘get active’, i.e. to engage in physical activity and sport. The network also builds bridges with sports clubs and other community organisations to give pupils a pathway to continue their participation in sport outside the school gates.
Over 100 local students in full-time, part-time, college and higher education courses have participated so far in the delivery of sports and games activities in local primary schools as part of the Active Schools project. Many of the schools involved are in areas of high deprivation.
Students from the Sports Coaching course at Clydebank College offered the following thoughts about their volunteering experience: “The opportunity to volunteer in local primary schools has given us the chance to learn, develop and demonstrate our coaching skills in a real coaching environment with young children. We are involved in the delivery of games and physical education which tests our skills in a genuine coaching setting. In addition to providing practical assistance, we are able to contribute to improving the health and well-being of young children whilst also acting as positive role models in the classroom. This project gives us the chance to experience our learning in action which gives us practical application of the classroom-based learning.”
“Volunteering is optional and 100% of our class has taken part in the programme. We are able to demonstrate communication and problem-solving skills whilst working with one another, the coaches and the school pupils. We are all aware of Curriculum for Excellence and promoting health and well-being is central to the activities. We have all benefited greatly from taking part particularly in building our personal confidence, having a sense of achievement and contributing to a project which benefits others. Many of us took part in activities in schools we had previously attended which strengthened our commitment and gave the pupils a local role model.”
“Our employability skills have also improved as working with the coaches in a professional environment has given us real work experience in other areas that we have chosen to study.”