SSP FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the School Sport Partnership
1. What is a School Sport Partnership (SSP) and how does it work?
The partnership is a strategic grouping of schools where primary schools are attached to a local secondary school to create a 'family'. Each family has a School Sport Coordinator (SSCo) who is based at the secondary school (released from timetable for 2 days per week) and who manages the family's Primary school PE Coordinators, known as Primary Link Teachers (PLTs). The SSCo coordinates school sport for the secondary school as well as the primary school. The PLT is the link for the SSCo into the primary school. The PLT is the Subject Leader, responsible for developing PE and School Sport at the primary school.
The SSP follows the work outlined in the PE and Sport Strategy for Young People (PESSYP) and its own Evaluation and Priorities Document (EPD), the structure for which is dictated by the Youth Sport Trust, the organisation which manages the PESSYP Strategy for the DfES and DCMS.
2. From where does this initiative originate?
The School Sport Partnership programme is a key government priority. It is a joint national programme developed and funded by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) and the Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS). This funding is supporting the delivery of the PESSYP Strategy.
3. How long has this initiative been going on and how long will it last?
In 2000, 33 School Sport Partnerships were established in some of the most disadvantaged areas of
4. Why are some schools in Phase 2 of the SSP?
This partnership was formed initially with large, widespread rural families with the support of the Youth Sport Trust, the Local Education Authority and local Head teachers in accordance with a strategic county plan for the development of SSPs. It was not going to be viable to launch the partnership in one go, so it was divided into two phases. Secondary Head teachers were given the option of when they would like to join. In most cases, schools joined either Phase 1 or Phase 2 according to their own choice.
5. What will schools get out of the SSP?
The short answer to this question is higher quality PE and school sport. This programme is not simply about doing more PE and sport; it is about developing PE and school sport to raise whole school standards and this is achieved through the work carried out on both a national and local basis with the DfES, Ofsted, QCA, Sport England, the Youth Sport Trust and LASI. Training materials for Primary Link Teachers (PLTs) are centred around 'Every Child Matters' Framework Outcomes, the new Ofsted Framework, QCA High Quality Outcomes for PE and School Sport, Subject Leader Standards
6. What will staff get out of the SSP?
The Primary Link Teacher (PLT) or Subject Leader stands to gain the most as far as ongoing CPD is concerned. Each primary school has an entitlement of 'PLT Funding' to release the PLT from timetable to attend training courses or to work on the development of PE and School Sport, either in the curriculum or as part of the 'Out of School Hours Learning' (OSHL) programme. Other teachers are encouraged to benefit from the release time and funding. It is not intended to create a specialist PE teacher who would leave the school back at the beginning should he or she move on, although part of the Subject Leader's role is to disseminate training information.
The major outcome for teaching staff is increased competence and confidence in their facilitation of teaching and learning in PE.
7. What will pupils get out of the SSP?
As well as benefiting from a richer and broader PE curriculum based on the increased competence and confidence of teaching staff, pupils will have access to a wider range of activities (competitive and non-competitive). Part of the work of the SSP includes deploying Adults Other Than Teachers (AOTTs) into schools; this will mean that pupils will experience input from specialist coaches from sport's governing bodies, our own Community Sports Coaches and/or professional and local clubs.
8. How much time will be taken up with this initiative?
The work involved with the SSP is not intended to be any more time consuming than that associated with the role of Subject Leader for any other subject. The important difference for work done in the role of PLT is that funding is available to release the member of staff from timetable.
9. Do schools have to be part of the SSP?
Every school in the country has been assigned to a School Sport Partnership. The assumption from HMI, Ofsted and the LEA is that schools are taking up the opportunities presented by the partnerships. However, the degree to which a school can participate in these opportunities will vary and will depend, amongst other things, upon its size and location.
10. Who else is part of the SSP?
The SSP is made up of 11 secondary schools and 94 primary schools. A plan of the SSP is available to show the groupings of families on the website on the 'About Us' tab, then 'SSP Families.' Other partners include the LEA, the County Sports Partnership (Northamptonshire Sport), South Northamptonshire Council and Daventry District Council.
11. How is the SSP accountable?
The SSP is accountable to the DfES through an annual financial audit as well as an annual PE and School Sport Survey which every school is required to complete as a condition of funding. Other monitoring devices are applied by the Youth Sport Trust, including regular target setting and an Annual Monitoring Review (AMR).
The SSP Steering Group oversees work of the partnership and meets once each term throughout the academic year. Each family of schools is represented by a Head teacher from either a primary or secondary school. Other members of the Steering Group include representatives from the LEA, district councils, Primary Care Trust, the Healthy Schools programme, County Sports Partnership & Youth Sport Trust.
12. Who should be the Primary Link Teacher (PLT) in a school?
The PLT should be someone in school who has a genuine interest in leading and developing the teaching and learning of PE and School Sport. It is important that the PLT can attend CPD opportunities and family meetings or events. The Subject Leader accreditation that accompanies the PLT Module Training makes this an exciting career development opportunity for a young or recently qualified teacher. The PLT should have QTS and therefore should not be a NQT.
13. How is the PLT supported?
The PLT will be supported first and foremost by the School Sport Coordinator. However, further support is available from the PDM and Assistant PDM if/when required. Other support mechanisms will become more apparent as PLTs become familiar with the workings of the SSP and its various partners.
14. What are the expectations on the PLT?
· To attend the PLT Training Modules (usually 2 per year)
· To attend or signpost other colleagues towards CPD opportunities made available by the SSP
· To carry out the school PE & School Sport Audit and annual PE, School Sport & Club Links Survey
· To contribute to the Family Development Plan
· To 'action plan' in line with the school's Development Plan, Family Development Plan, SEF etc.
· To attend and contribute to family meetings
· To disseminate information and training to colleagues
· To complete annual PE & School Sport Survey
15. What if schools don't have good PE facilities?
Whilst the SSP has no funding to improve facilities it does have networks and connections which can be used to solve some, not necessarily all, facility problems. The idea of working as a family of schools means that each member of the family is included as much as possible. Through partnership-working it is often the secondary school that can offer the most as far as facility use is concerned.
16. Is other funding available?
The SSP is able to draw funding from a small number of places. The County Sports Partnership holds funding which is made available from the Youth Sport Trust and this is usually earmarked for specific projects within the SSP programme. Big Lottery Funding will be available to the SSP for provision of Out of School Hours Learning projects. Occasionally, some of the larger National Governing Bodies, eg. The Football Association provide funding to SSPs for particular projects.
On the whole, funding is usually for the whole SSP and is not for individual schools. The PDM directs this funding to the schools where it is most needed or on an equitable basis. Please see our 'Useful Contacts' under the 'Community' tab for more information.
If you have questions which remain unanswered please contact us here