Key Steps to Developing School Links

Key questions to consider prior to setting up an initial meeting:

• What does the club want to achieve through partnership working?;
• Who do the club want to link up with and why?;
• Identify possible ideas for the partnership;
• Identify the information needed from the school;
• How will the club make contact with the school;
• What can the club offer the partnership;
• How will the club manage and promote the links.

For the relationship between the club and the school to be completely successful the school’s Head Teacher ( or teacher responsible for P.E) and clubs link officer must be totally satisfied that the external coaches are qualified, competent to supervise the activities and CRB checked. It is essential that the external coaches have been fully brief about their role and responsibilities and the school’s roles and responsibilities. As well as the school helping to promote the sport the club could agree to encourage teachers and parents to take part in appropriates coaching courses.

Benefits for the school:

• Specialist coaching to complement and support the teaching programme;
• Clear pathways/ exit routes for children to continue participating in sport;
• Wider range of sports available for pupils;
• Improved performance and sporting success;
• Access to better facilities;
• Increased potential for accessing other funding opportunities;
• Increase in the number of school children keeping active, fit and healthy;
• Contribute to a young person’s social and personal development;
• Raise the school profile;
• Positive sporting and community image;
• Teacher support and mentoring.

Benefits for the club:

• Raise the club profile;
• Boost junior membership;
• Potential new income;
• New opportunities for children to develop through ‘your’ sport;
• Potential to share resources; equipment, facilities, coaching expertise;
• Access to additional facilities;
• Potential to recruit coaches and volunteers (teachers and pupils).