Sporting stars share inspiration at schools conference

Education professionals from across Leeds will be inspired by sporting stars and nationally recognised speakers at a conference aimed at encouraging more physical activity in schools, tomorrow.

Inspirational guest speakers, including Leeds’ own Olympic gold medal winning triathlete Alistair Brownlee, the Chair of Youth Sport Trust Baroness Sue Campbell and Olympic swimmer Steve Parry, will be sharing their advice and expertise to around 300 Leeds education professionals.

The conference, being hosted by ‘Active Schools Leeds’ will be held at the John Charles Centre for Sport and will be an opportunity for the delegates to share good practice, gather information and resources and celebrate the work of Active Schools Leeds and its partners.

Media opportunity

Where: John Charles Centre for Sport Bowls and Athletics Centre LS11 5DJ

When: Friday 25th September (programme details below)

Members of the media are invited to attend the Active Schools Leeds conference, to photograph, film, and interview the organisers, speakers and performers. (Alistair Brownlee may not be available for interviews due to other commitments).

As well as gaining knowledge and inspiration from the keynote speakers, the delegates will also have the opportunity to connect with 40 exhibitors including national and local organisations who offer excellent products to schools as well as being entertained by performances from talented Leeds pupils.

The aims of the Active Schools Leeds programme is to develop a skilled workforce that can, through collaboration and partnership, deliver, influence and promote high quality physical activity, PE and sport in schools. It also intends to influence children and young people and their families to develop physically active habits for life and support all children and young people to lead physically active, healthy lives with a focus on participation, fun and enjoyment. The partnership also hopes to help raise achievement and attainment in and through PE and sport.

Councillor Lucinda Yeadon, executive member responsible for children and families said:

“Encouraging children and young people to engage in physical activity and maintain a healthy lifestyle from a young age is one of our top priorities. This conference will be a fantastic opportunity for teachers, head teachers and other education professionals to gain insight from the experts about how best to help encourage pupils to take up new sport or increase their physical activity so they can benefit from an active lifestyle.

“Our aim, through Active Schools Leeds is to become the best city in the UK for excellence in Physical Activity, PE and sport, and we can only do this by working in partnership with schools across the city to develop programmes that enrich the lives of all children and young people.”

Programme highlights include:

8.30 School Performance - Holy Trinity Primary - St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary

8.50 Welcome and Opening Addresses - Councillor Roger Harrington, lead member for children's service and Megan Casey, Young Ambassador

9.05 Keynote 1 - Alistair Brownlee

9:20 School Performance - Leeds West Academy

9.30 Keynote 2 - Baroness Sue Campbell CBE, Chair YST

10.15 School Performance - South SILC – Rodillian Academy

11.00 Keynote 3 - Nike Active Schools Launch - Gail Palmer-Smeaton & Jill Wilkinson, Active Schools Leeds

11.15 Performance - Dr. Terror Vision

11.30 Keynote 4 - Call to Action - Steve Parry

12.15 Too Big to Miss - Big Dance Big Sing - Allerton CE Primary - Castleton Primary

ENDS

For media enquiries, please contact:

Emma Whittell, Leeds City Council press office, on (0113) 2474713

Email: emma.whittell@leeds.gov.uk