Active Schools

What is Active Schools?

The aim of Active Schools is to offer all pupils the opportunity to get active and adopt healthier lifestyles. 

Active Schools, despite its name, goes beyond the school.  It is about the desire to see young people enjoying an active lifestyle, whether that is in the school or as part of the wider community.

The Active Schools Team in Argyll and Bute is responsible for putting in place planned activities in schools and within the community to help encourage children to take part in physical activity and sport.

What does Active Schools offer?

Examples of some of the work Active Schools deliver include:

• Active Play

The Active Schools Buddy Programme supports the development of leadership skills for pupils in upper primaries.  The Active Play resource and training pack was launched in 2004 so that young people could play safe games and have fun in the playground.

• Fit for Girls

This is a national programme led by Sportscotland and is targeted at girls aged between 11 and 16 to encourage them to be more active.  Specially tailored activities have been developed for girls and over the last 12 months there has been a 10% increase in girls taking part across Argyll and Bute.

• Clubgolf

Clubgolf is a safe and exciting way to be introduced to the game of golf and is played with multi-coloured clubs, rubberised balls and Velcro targets.  Schools receive a free resource bag and lesson plan to help them deliver the programmes and Argyll and Bute Council offers subsidised places on the national clubgolf coach education programme.

• School-Club Links

The school-club link scheme offers various ways for schools and clubs to encourage children to take part and as a result increase membership of community sports clubs.

• Competitions and Festivals

Active Schools are working throughout the year to organise various sporting events for primary and secondary pupils.  These festivals bring a number of schools together to take part and compete in a range of different sports.  The highlight of the secondary events calendar is the Secondary School Games which take place during National School Sport Week in June with more than 600 1st and 2nd year pupils getting together to compete in 14 sporting activities.

• X –Programme

To address obesity, particularly in children, Active Schools are working with NHS Highland and other agencies to help the needs of individual families where children’s weight could be affecting their health or confidence.

Active Schools are also keen to encourage local communities to promote healthy schemes like fresh fruit and vegetables, fitness classes and using playparks.

• Extra – Curricular Programme

There are now over 700 extra-curricular clubs within schools in Argyll and Bute, supported by some 600 volunteers. 

Training, equipment  and support is provided to clubs.

How can I help or get involved?

Volunteers are at the heart of the work in Active Schools.  Without their support, the majority of activities would not happen.  There are over 600 people, including parents, teachers community coaches and senior pupils, who kindly give up their time to help across a range of sports and activities.

• Are you interested in sport and physical activity?
• Would you like to help make a difference?
• Are you full of enthusiasm and energy?
• Do you have an hour to spare a week?
• Do you enjoy working with young people?
• Would you be willing to participate in local training?

Active Schools will provide on-going guidance and support and in return volunteers will gain an good quality and rewarding volunteer experience.

A full coach education programme is run for all volunteers which includes the Annual Coaching Weekend.

If you would like to get involved please e-mail activeschools@argyll-bute.gov.uk

Contact Us

Email: activeschools@argyll-bute.gov.uk