Tuesday, 15 July 2008
Alan Campbell, MP for Tynemouth and Lord Commissioner, HM Treasury, met
with Year 7 pupils from John Spence Community High School on Friday 11
July who are involved in Sky Living For Sport.
As part of the visit, Alan witnessed first hand the work of the pupils
as he was shown round an Orienteering competition that the pupils
organised for a group of Year 3 and Year 4 pupils from Whitehouse
Primary School.
He heard first hand how much the initiative has impacted on the pupils’
lives as well as from teachers and the Youth Sport Trust about how the
initiative links these activities to personal targets to improve
students’ performance in school and help boost their confidence.
Now in its fifth year, Sky Living For Sport’, organised by the Youth
Sport Trust in partnership with Sky, is a national initiative that aims
to use sport to inspire young people to achieve their full potential
both in and outside of the classroom. So far it has worked with some
17,000 young people, aged 11-16, who are at risk of opting out of
school in over 600 schools across England, Northern Ireland and
Scotland. Over 70% of the young people who have taken part to date have
shown improved confidence and self-esteem, with 90% sustaining these
improvements two years later.
A number of sporting heroes, led by Olympic Gold Medallist and Sky
Living For Sport Ambassador, Darren Campbell MBE, act as positive role
models for those involved, using their experiences as successful
athletes to illustrate behavioural messages and communicate life skills.
Sue Campbell, Chair of the Youth Sport Trust, said: “I would like to
congratulate both the students and staff at John Spence Community High
School for their enthusiasm and hard work in managing Sky Living For
Sport. Having the opportunity to introduce Alan Campbell to those who
have been taking part and highlight the success of Sky Living for Sport
was a great opportunity for both the Youth Sport Trust and all those
involved at the school.”
Click here to find out more about Sky Living for Sport
Click here to find out more about Alan Campbell
Alan's visit to John Spence Community High School is one of several MP visits which has taken place across the country:
Dave Watts Office visited Haydock High School on Friday 6 June 2008.
Tom Clarke visited Cardinal Newman High on Friday 13 June 2008.
Adam Afriyie visited Windsor Girls School on Friday 20 June 2008.
Derek Twigg visited St Peter & Paul Catholic College on Friday 11 July 2008.