Introduction

In 2002, Shelfield Sports and Community College became a Specialist Sports College Since then, we have acquired a national reputation for delivering high quality, innovative and comprehensive programmes in sport and physical education. Our specialist schools status has also helped to raise achievement throughout the college. Each year, a range of exciting projects gives new opportunities to our students.

The overall aims of the Sports College are :

The specialist status has had a considerable impact both within the specialism and at whole College level. Ofsted stated ‘Sports College status has improved the College’s facilities and teaching and learning and provided more opportunities to gain qualifications and live healthier lifestyles’ (March 2006 Annex B).

Achievement and Standards

• GCSE PE results have increased from 42% (A*-C) in 2006 to 54% (A*-C) in 2006

• The number of students achieving a Leadership award in 2006 has increased from 20 to 71. Ofsted (March 2006) commented ‘Students make a positive contribution to the wider community in primary schools as part of the Sports Leadership Award’.

• Development of an Assessment database to track student attainment and target setting for all students. All students are now aware of ‘working at level’ and ‘target level’ and know what they need to do to improve.
• The College has been recently invited by Youth Sport Trust to become a part of the “ Partnership Schools Programme” as a support agency for other Sports Colleges.

Teaching and Learning

• The Key Stage 3 curriculum has become more balanced and less games orientated as a result of the recent provision of the Health and Fitness facility and Dance studio. Additionally, sports academies for Rugby and Trampolining have been set up for students to allow for preferred student learning pathways across KS3

Personal Development and well-being

• Introduction of the Shelfield Sports Council with 6 meetings per year. Ofsted 2006 commented – ‘Students opinions are successfully sought through the effective College Council and innovative College Sports Council’. This ‘pupil voice’ has been involved in key strategic decision-making, including the introduction of a new PE kit and the ‘Water in College Project’.
• The specialist subject has had a significant whole College impact in relation to the health related behaviour of students during the last 4 years, as part of a programme to achieve the National Healthy School Standard. A HMI Inspection on the provision for PSHE in 2004 stated ‘The College’s links with the PCT and the use of health related behaviour surveys are providing a good foundation aimed at improving the health of students’

• The number of students following PE/Sports related courses have increased considerably (2 courses 2002 to 10 courses 2006). This has extended student choice in the 14-19 curriculum to include additional vocational pathways.
• Saturday Revision School/Sports Activities organised for 12 weeks to improve attainment at GCSE (funded from Specialist School budget). This has contributed to the improvement in 5A*-C examination results, in 2006. Ofsted (March 2006) stated ‘The College is making increased use of independent learning using ICT and Saturday sessions to provide successful targeted support for students’.
• Development of a web based online curriculum to support GCSE and A Level Physical Education. Ofsted (March 2006) stated that ‘The PE Department has led on the use of new technology to enhance learning’.
• An increase in the number of students opting to take GCSE PE (38 in 2003 to 127 in 2006).
• An increase in the number of KS5 students opting to take part in A Level courses. (3 in 2002-3 to 28 in 2005-6).
• The PE out of hours enrichment programme offers an extensive enrichment programme of OSH activities accessible by all ages and abilities. There is also a full programme of regular fixtures in all-major sports at local, regional and national levels. Over 47% of students participate in one or more OSH activity .

Shelfield Sports Partnership

The College is a host to the Shelfield Sports Partnership, which involves 34 primary schools and 7 secondary schools across North Walsall. The aim of the sports partnership is to improve the quality of teaching and learning in PE and increase opportunities to take part in sport.