What is an SSP? - About us - North East Lincolnshire

What is an SSP?

1. What is the School Sport Partnership Programme?

The programme is a Government initiative designed to raise standards in schools through an improved and co-ordinated delivery of PE and Sport. School Sport Partnerships (SSP) are families of schools based around a HUB Secondary School, these schools come together to enhance sporting opportunities for all.  The partnerships are made up of Secondary Schools linked to Primary and special Schools.

2. The Partnership receives a grant that pays for

• a full time Partnership Development Manager (PDM)
• the release of one teacher from each secondary school PE department, two days a week, to allow them to take the role of the School Sport Coordinator (SSCO)
• the release of one teacher from each primary school, for 10 days a year, to allow them to become a Primary Link Teachers (PLT). PLTs coordinate PE in their own schools and work with SSCOs to enhance the quality of curriculum PE and develop out-of-hours opportunities. Throughout the programme schools are encouraged to work together in their Secondary school 'families'.

3. How are the PLT's and SSCO's appointed?PLT's are given the coordination role by their Headteacher. It will usually be someone who has an interest in sport and PE. The SSCO usually works part time in the PE department and part time with the family of schools. The secondary schools hold interviews for the joint post.      

4. Does the SSCO Programme impact whole school improvement?

There has often been quoted a link with PE to whole school improvement. The SSCO Programme caters for all children, not just those who are enthusiastic.  Provision is made for targeted groups, to include those who traditionally may not opt to take part. The activities may improve self confidence, self-esteem, attitudes to school and to learning.

 5. What is a ‘Hub Site'?

A Hub Site is where the Partnership Development Manager (PDM) is based. It is usually a Sports College or Academy.

6. Who Funds the SSCO Programme?Funding comes directly from the DfCSF and DCMS. Funding for out of school hours learning (OSHL). SSPs are constantly looking for different routes to gain funding or sponsorship to enhance the work that is being carried out with young people.

7. How are primary teachers involved?Each school will have a co-ordinator responsible for PE. They are the PLT. They have 12 release days per year to work on the programme which is used for a mixture of national training and INSET and development of PE in the schools.

8. What's in it for the Primary Link Teacher?The PLT will be accredited with a formally recognized subject co-ordinators award. They will also have contributed to the significant development of PE and School Sport in their school.

9. What sort of work does the partnership do?The Partnership's work is very varied and can range from training Meal time supervisors to run lunch time games to training teachers to deliver High Quality PE lessons, to setting up after schools clubs in many sports and running festivals and competitions throughout the year. As long as it involves getting kids active we do it!

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