Our School Spotlight highlights the great work of schools, teachers and students across Rhondda Cynon Taf. We will use it to celebrate those that are using our programmes or their own ideas to get more children, more active, more often. Each month we will showcase a project that has had a positive impact on sport and physical activity in a school setting.
If you would like to tell us about a fantastic sport or physical activity project that your school, teachers or students have completed, please email us at sportrct@rctcbc.gov.uk
School Spotlight Hall of Fame
July 2023
Mountain Ash Comprehensive School: Two Gold Young Ambassadors from Mountain Ash Comprehensive School applied to our Dragon's Den for funding to deliver a project. They wanted to offer new opportunities and encourage more young people in their school to be physically active. They were successful in receiving £450 funding from us to launch a Kin Ball project. They deliver Kin Ball during PE lessons and are looking to start an after-school club. Watch this video to find out more.
June 2023
St Gabriel and Raphael Roman Catholic Primary School: Four pupils from SS Gabriel and Raphael Catholic Primary School were nominated to be Bronze Young Ambassadors. After attending our conference, they returned to school and developed a project to improve the health, wellbeing, and fitness levels of their peers. They wanted to encourage non-active pupils to become active during breaktime, and they identified a need to improve their school yard. The yard is small, and they found that football dominated playtimes and stopped other children from being active. They believed that organising the yard into sections would give all children equal and safe opportunities to take part. Watch this video to find out more.
May 2023
Caegarw Primary School: Following a successful application to our Foundation School Fund, the school set up an after-school balance bike club for foundation age pupils. One teacher attended training and she delivered 6 fun balance bike sessions to 5 children. The children loved the sessions and they all increased in confidence and improved their skills. Families attended the final session and parents were impressed with the progress the children had made. The school also operate a balance bike rental scheme, allowing families to hire the bikes for weekends and school holidays. Watch this video to find out more.
April 2023
This month we celebrate our partnership with University of South Wales Sport. As part of their placements, students have worked with us to deliver sport and physical activity projects within schools. 22 students completed 1470 hours in 10 schools, engaging 552 children. Below is a brief summary of each project.
Bodringallt Primary School - This project aimed to develop fundamental movement skills through fun games and activities. Students delivered multi-sports/skilled sessions targeting children aged between 4-11. Click here to see the impact of the project.
Caegarw Primary School - This project aimed to develop Badminton in the school. The children wanted to try a new sport, so students actively targeted years 4 & 5 and gave them the skills and knowledge they needed to confidently take part in this new activity. Click here to see the impact of the project.
Cwmbach Church in Wales Primary School - This project aimed to develop fundamental movement skills by giving children a range of opportunities to try new sports. Students focused on team sports with children aged 7-11, developing throwing and catching skills. Click here to see the impact of the project.
Mountain Ash Comprehensive School - This project aimed to increase the physical activity & confidence levels of girls in Years 7 & 8. Students worked to create a safe and comfortable environment for them to take part in football. Click here to see the impact of the project.
Penyrenglyn Primary School - This project aimed to give children the opportunity to try new sports and games. Students tailored sessions to develop skills such as teamwork, problem solving and fundamental movement skills. Click here to see the impact of the project.
Gwaunfarren Primary School - Students worked with the school and Active Merthyr to develop a range of fundamental movement skills with Year 1 pupils. They placed emphasis on the importance of regular physical activity including the range of health benefits. Click here to see the impact of the project.
Ynyshir Primary School - This project aimed to increase the participation levels of Years 2 & 3, in a bid to make up for opportunities lost during the Covid Pandemic. Students used creative themes to develop sessions that focussed on confidence. Click here to see the impact of the project.
Hawthorn Primary School - This project introduced children to new activities, while boosting their confidence and supporting them to further develop relationships with peers. Students targeted children from reception to year 4 with a multi-skills intervention. Click here to see the impact of the project.
Hafod Primary School - This project worked with the school's Bronze Young Ambassadors to deliver sporting activities. A variety of sessions and new clubs were developed and delivered, based on pupil consultation. Click here to see the impact of the project.
Blaengwawr Primary School - This project used inclusive multi-skill PE sessions to teach children how to work together as a team. Students targeted children from nursery to year 3 with outdoor activity sessions. Click here to see the impact of the project.
March 2023
Aberdare Town Church In Wales Primary School: Pupil voice sessions uncovered that children felt stressed and worried, following the pandemic. With this in mind the school applied to our School Fund to develop a new Yoga after-school club. They hoped that this would have a positive impact on the emotional, mental and physical well-being of the children. The funding bought new equipment and a teacher agreed to deliver the sessions. A range of Yoga/Pilates stretches as well as mindfulness relaxation was delivered through story. All pupils enjoyed the sessions, with 100% of them stating that they felt happier and 83% stating that they were more confident. Watch this video to find out more.
February 2023
Hafod Primary School: The schools’ Bronze Young Ambassadors applied to our school fund to set up a new Hockey after-school club. The funding allowed them to buy equipment and resources. The Ambassadors also loaned this equipment out during play time. Watch this video to find out more.