SPORTIN SCHOOLS
PROGRAMME
Following the successful completion of the pilot primary SPORTIN SCHOOLS Programme which launched in 2024/25, there was an increase in demand from schools and sports who wished to participate in the next initiative. As a result, we are delighted to welcome 18 schools (rising from 8), and 13 sports (rising from 8) to participate in the 2025/26 SPORTIN SCHOOLS Programme, which will deliver a new pilot secondary programme to target teenage girls, aiming to increase physical activity among this underrepresented group.
THE SPORTIN SCHOOLS PROGRAMME EXISTS TO:
- Establish greater equitable opportunity and access to external sport provision and specialised sports coaching for schools and their students, by centrally coordinating and strategically aligning sport delivery in schools.
- Respond to the needs and demands of sport by improving community sport links, pathways, and access to junior members for sustained and prolonged engagement with sport and physical activity.
- Increase funding into, and delivery capacity within, local sport organisations.
- Reduce the administration burden on schools and sports.
- Provide opportunities for coach development and mentoring for both teachers and sports workforce.
- Reduce inequalities in school-sport provision by removing the cost barrier and supporting accessibility.
- Increase the number of children who are active in sport outside of the school setting, through community sport initiatives and local sport organisations.
KEY DETAILS OF THE 2025/26 SPORTIN SCHOOLS PROGRAMME:
- 17 primary schools and 1 secondary school will receive sport-specific delivery from 13 sports.
- Different schools will have access to different sport delivery across the 3 school terms (Autumn, Spring & Summer).
- All sport delivery takes place within the school or sport setting – whichever is most appropriate for the school/sport setting.
- Pathway information about ways for children to be active in sport outside of the school setting are promoted by sports within schools.
- Sports and schools will report on the impact of the programme at the end of each school term.
FUNDING
The SPORTIN SCHOOLS Programme has an annual budget of £50,000 for the 25/26 academic year. All funding will be distributed to participating sport organisations directly, to keep in line with Jersey Sport’s existing grant distribution. Funding will be used to help sports participate in the programme and deliver in schools. Monies can be used for:
- The procurement of paid coaching resource to deliver in schools, due to a lack of available volunteer capacity.
- Upskilling and/or training for volunteer/paid coaching resource, to support quality sport delivery in schools.
- Additional kit or equipment to enable delivery away from their sport setting which may form part of their legacy, e.g. table tennis tables that are unable to be transported easily, and will be donated to the school after delivery.
- Creating pathway opportunities for children to access the sport outside of the school setting, e.g. costs associated with delivering a free six-week taster membership.
PROGRAMME TESTIMONIES
Jamie Hazley, Headteacher at St John’s Primary School, said “We have been involved in the successful SPORTIN SCHOOLS Programme since the start of the pilot. The programme has given opportunities to our children from Year 1 through to Year 6 which they would not normally be offered or that they would have access to. This involved extra-curricular Netball clubs and Jiu-Jitsu, Cricket and Padel sessions during regular timetable. This initiative opens opportunities for children to try sports they previously may not have, potentially starting a hobby that will ensure the children are active not just outside of school, but for life”.
Andy Jordi, PE Coordinator at Mont à L’Abbé School, shared “We received half a term of expert Kickboxing and Jiu-Jitsu coaching from local Instructors. They were friendly, knowledgeable, and pitched the sessions at just the right level. We had a lot of fun, and our students learned some basic skills and how to work together. The whole SPORTIN SCHOOLS Programme has been excellent and gave our learners experiences they wouldn’t normally have. Thank you, Jersey Sport”.
USEFUL INFORMATION
Jersey Sport is responsible for delivering the provision of physical education within five Government of Jersey schools, including St Saviours, Grands Vaux, Mont Nicolle, St Johns and Springfield. Find out more:
Jersey Sport are proud to coordinate and support the delivery of Jersey’s Primary and Secondary School Sports Events. Find out more: