Over 1,100 young people from 72 schools took part in this year’s School Games programme, creating opportunities for students to be active, try something new and develop confidence, resilience and wellbeing.

The School Games programme this year featured 11 events and engaged 1100 students from 72 schools across the county. It included a mix of competitive and participation-based activities for both primary and secondary school students. We also extended our reach to students in alternative provision settings and involved young leaders from local secondary schools, who played a valuable role in supporting the delivery of several events. Despite careful planning, some events were unfortunately cancelled this year as a result of adverse weather conditions, which affected our ability to deliver the full programme as intended.

Participation Events 

Girls Strong Minds Events
The event combined physical and mental wellbeing activities, focusing on weights and resistance training alongside strateg

ies for managing exam-related anxiety. We partnered with Because I Can Fitness Gym and Coach Benson Miyoba to deliver the sessions. Participants were selected by their schools due to low confidence, wellbeing concerns, limited engagement in PE, or heightened anxiety about upcoming exams. All attendees were in Years 10 and 11, and for some, this was their first experience in a gym environment. The programme was divided into two parts, a practical session: learning how to lift weights safely and the benefits of being physically active, and a wellbeing session: a discussion on exam pressures and coping mechanisms to support mental health.

Teacher Quote: The girls feel like ‘they know what they’re doing now’ when in a gym environment. The girls also commented on how less intimidating a gym environment feels after the session.

Teacher Quote: It has had a very positive impact in how they engage in PE. One student in particular has completely transformed, working really hard and very positive. Which is just wonderful.

Alternative Provision Outdoor Adventure Day Events
We partnered with several local Alternative Provision schools to deliver two outdoor adventure days. These schools support students who are unable to attend mainstream education, often due to exclusion or because they have diverse needs and abilities. Working with local partners, we organised climbing and archery sessions for students from pupil referral units and schools specialising in social, emotional, and mental health support, spanning Year 5 to Year 11. For many of these pupils, it was their first experience of such activities, and they thoroughly enjoyed being outdoors and being actively engaged.

Teacher Quote: Feedback from the students was great as the majority of them had not ever had the opportunity to do Archery or Zip Lining. They are all asking when we can do it again!

Student Quote: I was really proud of my achievements, and I really enjoyed the day!

Dance event
We partnered with the U DO IT Dance Foundation to deliver this event, which was designed to support Year 7 and Year 8 students experiencing low wellbeing, low confidence, mental health challenges, and difficulties associated with transitioning into secondary school. The event was fully accessible and inclusive for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

The day began with a group ice-breaker dance session, encouraging all students to get involved, build confidence, and connect with their peers in a fun and supportive environment. Throughout the day, students rotated around a range of dance workshops, learning new street dance choreography and developing their skills through engaging activities.

At the end of the event, the students brought together everything they had learned to create a complete performance routine. They were then given the opportunity to showcase their achievements to the wider group, performing the full routine together and celebrating their progress, teamwork, and confidence.

Teacher Quote: One of our SEN students is very shy his confidence grew through out the day, and he preformed a solo dance to all the students at the event

Student Quote: I increased my confidence, when I first got there, it was a bit daunting, but when you get in there it really isn’t

 

Pickleball event
This was our first Pickleball event, and it proved hugely popular with schools across the county. Delivered in partnership with Halton Tennis Centre, the event targeted Year 7 and 8 students who were inactive, struggling with transition, or less likely to take part in school sport, while remaining fully inclusive for students with SEND.

Coaches introduced the rules and core skills of Pickleball before students progressed to mini matches with other schools. Confidence and engagement grew throughout the day, with students developing new skills, enjoying being active, and teachers also joining in the fun.

Teacher Quote: The students were asking me on the way home if we could run a club as they really want to have a go. Which is great as they are the students who don’t usually go to clubs.

Teacher Quote: Great event – thank you very much! It was also my first Experience of the sport and we all really enjoyed it and will be adding it to the curriculum and sports day! We had a great time – Thank you very much!

Adaptive Cycling event
In partnership with Active in the Community, we delivered two Adaptive Cycling events, one at Marlow Track and another at Stoke Mandeville Stadium. These sessions were designed for students with SEND in mainstream schools who were unable to ride a standard two-wheeled bicycle. A wide range of adaptive cycles, including tandem bikes, recumbent bikes, trikes and hand bikes, enabled every participant to get involved and find equipment that suited their needs. The events were hugely successful, giving some students the opportunity to experience the joy and freedom of cycling for the very first time alongside their friends. As Active in the Community also runs family cycling sessions at weekends, the events provided a valuable pathway for students and their families to continue cycling beyond the school day.

Teacher Quote: The students really enjoyed cycling around the track and felt very safe with the amount of space that they had. They loved how many different bikes they had the chance to try out and that they got to cycle around with their parents and teachers.

Teacher Quote: It had a really positive Impact on mental well being and self regulation, social skills, widening a range of opportunities for out of school activities

BMX and Skateboarding event
This event is aimed at Year 7 students who may find the transition to secondary school more challenging, lack confidence, are less likely to engage in traditional school sport. The programme is fully inclusive and accessible to students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

During the event, students take part in BMX and skateboarding sessions, starting with the fundamentals and gradually developing more advanced skills and techniques. Activities are delivered in a supportive, positive environment that encourages young people to challenge themselves, try something new, and build confidence at their own pace.

The programme is designed to develop resilience, self-esteem and self-confidence. By overcoming personal challenges and celebrating individual achievements, students gain a strong sense of accomplishment while fostering a positive attitude towards physical activity, personal development and wellbeing.

Student Quote: It was really good, I’ve never done tricks and was abit nervous when I started but it was great fun

Teacher Quote: They really enjoyed it and had a good week off the back of it. This relates to engagement in lessons and behaviour.

Competition Events 

Secondary Triathlon Event
This event was for secondary school students in years 7, 8, 9 & 10 mixed genders. We had over 350 students across 18 schools. The event is over 3 disciplines, swimming, spin bikes and running, the distances from each event is added up and the team that has travelled the furthest is the winner. Each discipline is run by young leaders from a local secondary school Who collate the scores and organise the competitors throughout the day.

Athletics Quadkids Event
This event was for students of years 5&6 mixed genders, and these were winners from their local rounds. The event had 200 primary students and was run by young leaders from 2 local Secondary schools who helped organise the stations and scored during the event.

 

 

Reflections & Learning

The success of this year’s programme has been built on strong partnerships between schools, School Games Organisers, delivery partners and local activity providers. By working together, we have been able to reach more young people and create opportunities for those who stand to benefit most from being active.