Activemark and Sportsmark

Schools Minister Jim Knight announced — on Wednesday 15 November at the School and Sport Partnerships conference in Telford — the 2006 Activemark, Sportsmark and Sports Partnership mark awards.  These are the first awards of the new marks.   

Speaking at conference the Minister said:

"The revival of school sport is one of the biggest success stories in education. Schools and teachers deserve to be recognised for the way they have increased PE and sports participation, especially through after-school clubs.

The high number of primary schools qualifying for the awards highlights just how far they have progressed over the last two years in making physical activity a key part of the school day.

Schools are finding that there are so many knock on benefits. Children develop new skills, gain confidence and are more motivated to learn.  And exercise is of course an important element in fighting childhood obesity. That is why we are committed to extending these benefits to every single child".

Click here to download a list of the schools which have been awarded Activemark and Sportsmark.  Warning — This is a large excel document and may take a few minutes to download. 

Click here to download a list of the School Sport Partnerships which have been awarded the new Sports Partnership Mark.
 

The marks — which are awarded annually — reward delivery of the national PE, School Sports and Club Links strategy.  They are open to schools which are part of a school sport partnership — all maintained schools in England from September 2006.  Schools are automatically assessed for one of the marks through the national school sport survey, which all partnership schools take part in.  This means that schools will not have to complete a separate application form. This ensures that the burden placed on schools is kept to the very minimum.

Each year, a small panel decides — after the school sport survey has been completed — to set the standards schools and partnerships will need to demonstrate in order to be awarded one of the kite marks.  The panel includes representation from the:

• Association for Physical Education;
• Youth Sport Trust;
• Sport England;
• Qualifications and Curriculum Authority;
• Department for Culture, Media and Sport; and
• Department for Education and Skills.

For 2006 the panel decided that the standard should be:

Activemark 2006

• Schools received the mark if:
• 90% or more of pupils across the school were doing 2 hours of PE and Sport;
• the school held a sports day; and

the school had met or bettered the national average for the range of sports it offers or the percentage of pupils participating in sports clubs linked to their school or school sport partnership. 

Overall 50% (about 7000) of the primary schools taking part in the annual school sport survey in 2005/06 met the standard and were awarded Activemark 2006.  This includes special schools which have primary aged pupils.

 

Sportsmark 2006

• Schools received the mark if:
• 90% or more of pupils across the school were doing 2 hours of PE and Sport;
• the school held a sports day; and
• the school has met the national average in three or more of the following areas:
• percentage of pupils taking part in inter school competitive sport;
• the range of sports the school offers;
• the percentage of pupils participating in sports clubs linked to their school or school sport partnerships; or
• the percentage of pupils actively involved in sports leadership and volunteering.

 

Overall 16% (about  500 schools) of secondary schools taking part in the annual school sport survey in 2005/06 met the standard and were awarded Sportsmark 2006.  This includes special schools which have secondary aged pupils.

Please note that is likely these Standards will be reviewed and update for the 2007 Awards

 

Sports Partnership Mark 2006

Partnerships received the mark if 50% or more of primary schools (including special schools with primary aged pupils) within the partnership were awarded Activemark 2006; and 50% or more of secondary schools (including special schools with secondary aged pupils) within the partnership were awarded Sportsmark 2006. Eight partnerships met the standards and were awarded Sports Partnership Mark 2006.

Ferquently asked questions

1. How long with the award last?

The kitemarks are awarded each year — automatically through the school sport survey — so last for 12 months.

2. What if my school isn't in a School Sport Partnership?

All isn't already within a School Sport Partnership then you will not be eligible in 2006 to be assessed for one of the kitemarks.  Remember the new schemes reward schools for the delivery of the national school sports strategy.  However, all maintained schools are now within a partnership so every maintained school will be eligible in 2007.  But the school does need to take part in the annual school sport survey.

3. How do I find out if my school is within a School Sport Partnership?

You should first ask your PE co-ordinator (primary/special schools) or a member of the PE department (secondary and some special schools).  If they are not sure you can email ssco@uk.aeat.com to check if your school is within a partnership.

4. Are the kitemarks open to independent schools?

In 2006 the kitemarks are only open to maintained schools within School Sport Partnerships.  This is because the new schemes reward delivery of the national school sport strategy.  We are exploring how independent schools linked in a School Sport Partnership can be assessed for the kitemarks in future years.

5. Are the awards open to special schools?

Yes as long as the special school is within a school sport partnership and takes part in the annual school sport survey then the school will be automatically assessed for one of the kitemarks.  Special Schools with primary age pupils will be assessed for Activemark, those with secondary age pupils will be assessed for Sportsmark and school will both primary and secondary age pupils will be assessed and eligible for both kitemarks.

6. What does the school get?

Each school which qualifies for one of the kitemarks will receive a certificate.  The school will also be able to use the kitemark logo for the relevant year on their headed paper and other documentation.

7. Where can I find out more information?

If you still have questions you can email pe.sport@dfes.gsi.gov.uk.

8. Why did the schemes run by Sport England need to be changed?

Sport England decided that they would no longer run the schemes and schools felt they should continue in some form.  The marks were also reviewed because they were created before the national school sport strategy.  So in 2004 Sport England and the Departments for Education and Skills and for Culture, Media and Sport consulted on proposals to develop and reintroduce — from 2006 — Activemark, Sportsmark and introduce a new Sports Partnership Mark.  The proposals received strong support.
 

The following Croydon schools have gained the Activemark (AM) or Sportsmark (SM)

Archbishop Lanfranc School Sports Partnership
Contact   Kate Wanstall  0208 763 8772

Atwood Primary School	AM
Beaulah Infant School	AM
Beaulah Junior School	AM
David Livingstone Primary School	AM
Downsview Primary School	AM
Greenvale Primary School	AM
Gresham Primary School	AM
Ridgeway Primary School	AM
St Cyprian's Primary School	AM
St James the Great Primary School	AM
St Josephs Junior School	AM
St Thomas Beckett Primary School	AM
Winterborne Junior Boys School	AM
Phil Edwards PRU	SM

 

Selhurst School Sports Partnership

Contact   Dave Bold  0208 665 7989
 

Gilbert Scott Junior School	AM
Selsdon Primary School	AM
St Mark's Primary School	AM
St Mary's Junior School	AM
Whitehorse Manor Junior School	AM

Woodcote School Sports Partnership
Contact   Steven Paddock   0208 763 8772

Applegarth Junior School	AM
Ashburton Junior School	AM
Beckmead School	AM
Chipstead Valley Primary School	AM
Christ Church Primary School	AM
Davidson Primary School	AM
Hayes Primary School	AM
Kenley Primary School	AM
Rowdown Primary School	AM
St Aidan's Primary School	AM
St Giles School	AM
St Giles School	SM
Tollgate Primary School	AM
Woodside Infant School	AM
Woodside Junior School	AM
Woodcote Sports College	SM