Amber Valley School Sports Partnership CIO: Multi-activity programme

Over 1500 children aged 5-11 took part in a wide range of sports, games, arts & crafts and enrichment activities at Amber Valley School Sports Partnership CIO.

The programme utilises high-quality leisure centre facilities to offer swimming, gymnastics, bowling, multiple sports and more. Amber Valley School Sport Partnership (AVSSP) work with a range of high-quality, qualified deliverers to offer alternative activities like Dance, Martial Arts, Boxing and more.

Children work to one-hour timetables so activities change regularly allowing for a varied environment for young people.

Each venue enlists the support of specialists in SEND & behavioural support through the organiser’s links with local schools and teaching/TA staff to ensure the 20% or so of children attending with additional needs are catered for and can be specifically supported. This support includes managing challenging behaviour, implementing specific intervention strategies, delivering bespoke activities and more.

Throughout the delivery of the It’s About Me programme, the team have seen a marked improvement in behaviour from a variety of children. The activities have been regularly adapted to allow for greater inclusivity of activity.

“It’s been fantastic to see children navigate the challenges of building new relationships and support that process to allow new friendships to build.” Robert Shaw, Amber Valley School Sports Partnership CIO

This improvement in behaviour is evidenced by a significant decrease in the number of escalations and referrals to their in-house behaviour log system.

Constant consultation through parents & guardians helped to mitigate further behavioural challenges as well as increase the amount of information gained during the booking process.

Through grouping children with a range of peers from different schools AVSSP also enabled a raft of new friendships to be made.

“Thank you for supporting my child and allowing them to take part – they don’t always get to do this at school and they love coming to camp’ Parent of a participant