Cornelius Vermuyden School has embarked on an inspiring journey in collaboration with Active Essex since March 2023, aiming to enrich their extracurricular offer and foster greater community engagement through utilising their sports facilities.
Recognising the barriers hindering many pupils’ access to community clubs, the school seized the opportunity to expand its extracurricular offer. Leveraging the Opening Schools Facilities (OSF) investment programme from the Department for Education (DfE), Cornelius Vermuyden School has facilitated partnerships with sporting organisations. These partnerships not only enable the delivery of activities but also empower local solutions to foster long-term behavioural changes, particularly in areas where physical activity is needed most.
At the heart of the project lies a commitment to empowering young people. Through the integration of Move With Us principles, sessions are designed to resonate with young people and ensures youth voice is at the centre of decisions. From girls-only mindfulness sessions to engaging activities like badminton and rock climbing, the activities cater to diverse interests. Notably, rock climbing has emerged as a particularly popular activity, even engaging parents in sessions. Whilst Friday sessions have emerged as a highlight, offering a fitting conclusion to the school week.
This initiative has opened doors for local children and young people, giving them access to activities they may not have otherwise experienced. Informed by pupil voice, projects are strategically targeted to support specific cohorts of young people requiring additional encouragement to embrace an active lifestyle.
Jayme Goodger, Head of Physical Education and Mental Health Lead at Cornelius said:
“It has been a blessing working with OSF, as it has allowed us to open our school sports hall, and gain the needed equipment to run Friday night climbing and badminton sessions. Our students have now had the opportunity to experience sport outside of their school in a calm, safe and respectful environment. Students working in a range of year groups has really allowed our students to build resilience, confidence and the teamwork skills needed to be great members of society.”
The impact speaks volumes—117 children and young people from Cornelius Vermuyden School have participated in OSF sessions, with a total throughput of 473. Additionally, approximately 200 community users have benefited from these initiatives.
One key lesson learnt is the importance of placing children in the lead. By empowering young people to voice their ideas, the project has helped encourage more positive experiences and greater participation in physical activity opportunities. For instance, during a badminton session, it was evident that various children thrived in different settings, with some enjoying competition while others preferred a more relaxed pace, socialising with friends. Teachers facilitated sessions to accommodate diverse abilities and preferences, fostering inclusivity and enjoyment.
Lee Monk, Active Essex Children & Young People Lead, said:
“The OSF programme at Cornelius Vermuyden School, has provided safe and enjoyable avenues for physical activity beyond traditional lesson times. Recognising the value students have from initiatives such as this, we must ensure we expand on projects like this, leveraging sports and physical activity as vehicles for broader community engagement. With climbing proving especially popular, the OSF funding has paved the way for promising avenues of growth, fostering collaborations with the Youth Sport Trust and local clubs, all driven by the aspirations of the school’s pupils.”
