9 January 2020

Research shows that healthier and happier children do better in school and that education is an important determinant of future health. But education is not just about lessons within the four walls of a classroom. The outdoor environment encourages skills such as problem solving and negotiating risk which are important for child development. But opportunities for children to access the natural environment are diminishing. Children are spending less time outside due to concerns over safety, traffic, crime and parental worries. Modern environments have reduced amounts of open green spaces too, while technology has increased children’s sedentary time. It is for these reasons and more that many think schools have arguably the greatest potential – and responsibility – to give children access to natural environments. This is not just about improving break times and PE lessons, however. Across the UK, teachers are getting children outdoors by delivering curriculum based lessons in school grounds or local areas. A variety of subjects, such as maths, art and science, are all being taken outside. So - our New Year's Resolution: We are going to ensure all children are outside as much as possible. To aid us with our resolution, please ensure your child is suitably dressed for PE outside and has a coat in school!

20 December 2019

On Wednesday 4th December we hosted a Tag Rugby Festival at Staveley Primary School. Luckily the weather held and we had a gloriously sunny morning for the event. Schools from Staveley, Boroughbridge, Kirk Hammerton, Nun Monkton and Great Ouseburn took part in the Y4, 5 and 6 festival. The festival was split into year groups, with each school competing in a round robin tournament. Children were rewarded for their use of social skills throughout, with a lot of encouragement and communication on display in particular. As well as this, the quality of rugby on a slippy surface, was fantastic, with some brilliant running with the ball and passing. Boroughbridge won on the year 4 pitch, Kirk Hammerton in the year 5 pitch and Great Ouseburn/Nun Monkton on the year 6 pitch.

12 December 2019

Merry Christmas to everyone, from Sporting Influence. Thank you to everyone who has worked with us, come to our camps, been in our lessons, driven children to our competitions... You're all amazing, have the a brilliant Christmas, we hope Santa brings you everything you have asked for, happiness and good health!!!

12 December 2019

Our resident girls football expert, social media goddess and all round legend Katie is leaving us. She has secured herself a role working for Her Majesty's Prison Service with the long term goal eventually joining the Police Force. We are so grateful for everything you have done over the last two years. Thank you from everyone at Sporting Influence, don't be a stranger and we look forward to hearing all about your new venture!

5 December 2019

Take a look at what has been going on in Mr Atkinson's Wellbeing after school club and how it has been a massive hit! The Year 5/6 Wellbeing Club has included all aspects of well being from diet and hygiene to; mindfulness and inclusive sports. Recently we have been participating in disability/inclusive sports, this week have we have played seated volleyball and blind folded dodgeball cricket. The club has been a success and each week the number of pupils has increased. I'm looking forward to delivering this to the Y3/4 after Christmas. 

4 December 2019

Have a look below to see how Mrs Wilcox and Hookstone are making the most of the new curriculum by teaching Mini Medics as part of our intervention work at Hookstone Chase Primary School. "As part of our work at Hookstone Chase, Horse Chestnut are completing a Mini Medics first aid course. So far we have learned how to respond to an emergency and what to do when we first find a casualty. We explored the different situations we might come across." Coming up in the few weeks they will look at dealing with wounds, shock and conditions like asthma. This meets the objectives of the new PHSCE curriculum as well as being a brilliant life skill.  Well done to everyone at Hookstone we can't wait to do more of this with you and prepare you to be a life saver!

3 December 2019

We estimate that a child who attends a normal day (9am - 3:30pm) will run/walk around 10,000 steps, burning around 500 calories. If these children also swim they will burn an estimated 370 calories extra. Christmas dinner - not including alcohol - is on average 3914 calories!!! That means, if you want your children to burn off those calories in preparation they will have to attend all 5 days at camp between Monday 16th & Friday 20th December!!! BOOK HERE

21 November 2019

We all know Christmas is a magical time for the children. This Christmas let Sporting Influence treat you. Unfortunately we can provide you all with a beach holiday to open on Christmas morning, but we can make those pre Christmas shopping trips a little easier to handle. If you child is off between 16th & 20th December, look no further than Sporting Influence to take your children and provide a safe, fun, active environment, whilst you pick up those last minute stocking fillers. Unfortunately we cannot commit to providing a service for those who like to leave it until Christmas Eve - We are sorry, but you guys are riding solo!!! BOOK BELOW CHRISTMAS RELIEF BUTTON

21 November 2019

On another cold Friday afternoon Western Primary took another short journey to Harrogate Ladies College. This time, with Year 3 & Year 6 to challenge Highfield Prep School in football and netball respectively. The Year 3 football teams - prepared for a wet, muddy game, faced up against their opposition and were fantastic. The passing, movement and communication on a pitch which had cut up was something to behold. Topped off with some fantastic strikes and defending from both teams, it made for a fantastic event. The football can be summarised by the comments of one child at the walk back to school - "Mr Doey, the mud has dried on my skin and it hurts, but I had so much fun!" Both Western & Highfield won one match each, and the sports were fantastic. As the football took place on the cold muddy fields of Highfield, the netball went ahead on the slightly drier but certainly no warmer netball courts! Two High 5's netball matches went ahead and the standard shocked those watching. The passing, movement and communication between all the players made the netball very easy on the eye. With the ball moving around at 100mph it was hard to keep track of the game at times, but there were certainly no complaints! Western eventually ran out winners of both of the matches, but we certainly believe the real winner was sport in both of the fixtures. Well done to all the children involved.

14 November 2019

Forget Christmas, there is a much bigger event happening just the week before! For all of you lucky enough to have some time off school the week before Christmas (week beginning 16th December) we are running our camps! It may be you're all off as a family and you need to pop out to grab a turkey big enough for the extended family, maybe you have to get that final report done at work and you need a little help with childcare. Whatever the reason, we are there 8am - 5:30pm every day of that week! Fancy booking on? Click the button below! Book Here

14 November 2019

You may not yet have had the fortune of finding a Sporting Influence leaflet in your Childs bag as it lands on the kitchen table after school. Don't fear, as you enter the shops of Cold Bath Road, Kings Road and Bilton you may see our leaflets around! Pick them up and have a look, you may just see the brilliant work we do in the School Holidays and tempt your children into a day or two of activity and excitement!!!

14 November 2019

Wednesday morning, 9:30am, 69 children ascend on Rossett High School astro turf pitch for a football festival. The children, from Hookstone, Western and Coppice, all turned up ready to compete for their school to take the crown of champions. Each school split their children into three teams and each pitch was played as a mini group. With some fantastic football skills on show, the children really gave it their all to ensure they took the crown for their school. As well as the football skills, more importantly, were the social skills displayed. Fantastic respect shown by all children, playing and watching. The children ensured they shook hands after the games, picked each other up after a tackle and congratulated each other on some outstanding skill. In terms of results, the overall winners of the competition were Western who were unbeaten in all six games. Coppice and Hookstone both won 1, drew 2 and lost 3. Congratulations to all children involved. You were fantastic role models for your school and we certainly can't wait to do it all again in a different sport!

8 November 2019

Come with us and take a look inside the new extension at Moorside Junior School. Working in the school for several years now, the new look building really brings the school together after the amalgamation earlier this year. Still to be fully completed, the children have this week been able to access part of the new building which houses nursery, early years and KS1. The new purpose built extension is amazing, catering for all the Childrens needs and giving them the best possible chance to learn in a comfortable and safe environment. We, as a company won't spend much time teaching in these areas of school, you can normally find us outside or making too much noise in the hall, but we will certainly cherish the time we do get to spend in there! Well done to all involved in the build, it is a real success!

7 November 2019

The weather has been awful, and here at Sporting Influence we are really hoping that nature can 'Hold back the river', so we are able to keep our PE lessons in the great outdoors. If the rain does persist, 'Somewhere, somehow' we will be able to keep the town of Harrogate fit and healthy, we can always survive 'With a little help from my friends'. The weather has been awful so far, as a company we try our hardest to get outside and get wrapped up, but if we really have to we will be inside. Please send your children to school with clothes suitable for both indoor and outdoor PE.

7 November 2019

Imagine, looking round to see Sterling on one shoulder and Agüero on the other. Kit had the chance of a lifetime, to do just this and enter the pitch with the Man City superstars. As well as going out onto the pitch, Kit also got the chance to watch on as City beat Villa 3-0. Kit is an ever present in our Sporting Influence PE lessons and gives his all in every lesson. From our experience at Sporting Influence, Kit deserves this experience from his effort in PE alone! We hope you had an amazing time Kit!