The Brent Magazine issue 91 June 2009
Cheer for sports
More schoolchildren are taking part in school sports thanks to a successful initiative to get them active, which is featuring some exciting new activities.
Schools in Brent have a lot to cheer about when it comes to their pupils being active.
More children are playing in sports teams, joining in with sports clubs, and now 87 per cent are doing PE for two or more hours a week - double the number for 2002.
The success has been thanks largely to the School Sports Partnership Programme, which has two partnerships based at Kingsbury High School to cover the north of Brent and Capital City Academy for the south.They work with schools to help improve sports provision.
A successful project supported by the programme is JK Exclusives - the cheerleading team at John Kelly Girls'Technology College in Neasden.The team, which involves up to 40 girls aged from 11 to 16, was set up in February last year. Cheerleading is a combination of dance and gymnastics performed to music with many of the sequenced moves suggested by the girls themselves with the help of a cheerleading coach.
Brent Council sport and PE adviser Mick McDonnell, who helps to direct the School Sports Programme, says projects such as cheerleading have helped to boost sports.
"We have focused on all types of activity," he explains. "And not just traditional team games.The programme offers variety in physical activity and means youngsters who do not see the appeal of some traditional team sports such as football can also be physically active."
Other achievements in the programme have been the temporary swimming pool at Preston Park Primary, which local people were also able to use until the end of May.The council calculates that 77 per cent of pupils are now taking part in sports competitions in schools; and 34 per cent in competitions between their schools.
"Sport and physical activity is great for children; not just for their health but helps to make them sociable; improves cognitive abilities; and personal skills," adds Mick.
"Regrettably, some children's fitness is too low but being active tackles obesity and other problems which is why we are committed to high-quality sports, individual and team games for all."