Mel Berry Principal – Soar Valley College

1280 students aged Multi-ethnic, multi faith school moved in to a new building as a part of the Building Schools for the Future [ BSF ] Programme. Also we significantly developed the outdoor environment and sports facilities. We have a strong community focus and the site / facilities have been developed with this in mind.

Creating first class facilities Exploiting all opportunities to access additional funding. Working in Partnership eg LCC, Sport England, national organisations and local leagues / clubs BSF programme – having a clear vision as to what we wanted to achieve. Supportive Governing Body Ensuring facilities relate to needs, interests, local and wider community - open 7 days a week. Facilities to inspire and to meet our aspirations.

Capacity Excellent PE Department – taught curriculum and extra curricular Business Manager – contracts, links with clubs and community. Strong business plans for each facility. Extended Schools and SSC – vital role in providing opportunities and developing links. Facilities Coordinator – first point of contact. Students – Sports Coordinators Developing strong club links

Experiences and opportunities Excellent range of sports and opportunities in Years 7-11to meet all needs and interests. Wide range of extra - curricular activities and opportunities Exposure to local, regional and national competition and events Developing students as Sports Leaders – and giving wide range of opportunities to demonstrate leadership. Providing them with first class facilities Links with clubs and associations to ensure progression Fully inclusive provision

Primary School Festivals – numerous. Tesco Sport sessions – Primary students. Visits from world class athletes - eg rugby, cricket and athletics; inspirational figures. National, Regional and County teams using facilities. Netball – excellent partnership, demonstrating what is possible. Visits to National teams / grounds – including Leicester Tigers for a coaching session, Old Trafford. Helping to host the Special Olympics. Using sporting activities as a catalyst to develop literacy skills. 14 Family Sports Festivals per year – some of which have fed in to City competitions including the Youth Games to represent the city regionally.

Post 16 – Club links and Umpiring Prit – Year 11 student Participating – school; cricket, badminton, frisbee, county hockey. Adult First Aid Qualification Volunteering – Sports Leaders Award. V Cricket Award. Umpired County Youth and Primary schools. Club – Leicester West. [ spotted training with Year 9 team ] Duke of Edinburgh Award – Archery as main sport / used cricket as volunteer activity Self esteem and confidence raised significantly.

Jasmin – Year 10 Finalist in the Get Set to make your mascot design competition – one of 2 finalists from East Mids. ADISTAR Young Ambassador. FA Junior Football Leaders Award Step into Sport Leaders Camp Young Sport Leaders Award D of E Award Scheme Primary School Sports Festivals Youth Games Personal Sport.

Dance – 2 groups Cricket – 5 teams including Leicestershire & Rutland. Badminton – 2 teams Hockey – 9 teams Netball – England, Leicestershire Association, Leicester[shire] Schools, Leicestershire Club League, various teams. Basketball – 3 teams Trampolining Club Table Tennis Karate Club Various Faith Groups – several very large sports events. Football – 23 teams. Orienteering

Local, regional and national success at individual and team level. Very high participation rates in school sport. Large number of teams and individuals in a wide range of sports – male and female. High number of trained First Aiders and Sports Leaders supporting sport in the Primary schools, own school and community. National Sports Ambassador – chosen to carry the Olympic Torch. Lots of volunteers at events – Special Olympics, Faith Groups, Primary Festivals etc etc.

Olympic Torch Relay – inspirational figure of Tommy Godwin. Taj – official torchbearer and National Sports Ambassador for England and British Colleges Sport. We are holding various special sporting events to celebrate the Olympics. Achieved Getset 2012 networking status for our school plus 10 primary schools. Year 10 – national finalist in design a Mascot competition.

Why not have international players and Olympians coming from Leicester schools and Soar Valley College? Valuing and giving opportunities to students who will become the unseen heroes in local and national sport – as referees, coaches, administrators etc. Ensuring high participation rates in a wide range of sports and instilling a love for sport at any level. Ensuring strong links with clubs and associations and progression post 16. Continuing to provide first class facilities and opportunities for all of our students and the community. Not to assume we have to lose any more top performing students to institutions outside of Leicester. Not just retaining - but building on the excellent infrastructure we have across the city. Aspire, enjoy and achieve !!