Background to PESS NAfW published the ‘PE and School Sport Plan (PESS) in June 2001 promoting a common vision for improving standards in PE and School Sport Sports Council For Wales is responsible for implementation of the plan National Manager coordinates project and reports to WAG Pilot development centres were developed in 2002, following the recommendations of this report By April 2004 at least 1 DC in place in each local authority WAG committed £5 million between 2003 and 2006 to implement the PESS plan

PESS Development Centres Purpose: to raise standards in PE and School Sport by focusing on areas of identified need, testing new resources, then sharing results and experiences. Ensuring progression from Key Stage 1 to Key Stage 4 (Education continuum). Structure: focused around a Secondary school and its feeder primary schools. Managed by PESS coordinator in the local authority.

PESS in Rhondda Cynon Taf Tonyrefail School and associate schools (6) - 1 st DC in Rhondda Cynon Taf (September 2003) Porth County Community School and associate schools (13) – 2 nd DCin Rhondda Cynon Taf (September 2004) Tonypandy School and associate schools (7) - 3 rd DC (April 2005) Additional funding from School Effectiveness (both primary and secondary) enabled 3 additional schools to carry out cluster PE and School Sport initiatives (Bryncellynog, Treorchy and Cardinal Newman)

Priorities of a PESS Development Centre Raise standards in PE and School Sport Improve links between the Key Stages and develop transition policies (primary/secondary) Move towards 2 hours per week of quality curriculum PE across a key stage Create additional opportunities for school sport beyond the school day Promote healthy and active lifestyles

PESS Achievements in Rhondda Cynon Taf Increased profile of PE and school sport in all participating schools Greater dialogue/communication between (a) secondary and primary and (b) between primaries regarding PE and sporting issues Greater professional development opportunities for staff Increased confidence in primary staff for the delivery of gymnastics, dance, athletics and games, leading to better delivery and regular participation

PESS Achievements in Rhondda Cynon Taf (cont’d) Working with other agencies to increase opportunities for young people to engage in physical activity in their community and within the school curriculum (NOF school sport programme, NOF dance programme, City tennis scheme, Rhondda Cynon Taf Community Arts, Arts Council,) Developing key skills through Physical Education, particularly ICT Providing training and leadership opportunities for young people in order to assist with Primary extra curricular sports programme Raise awareness amongst schools of various funding strands promoting PE and school sport, e.g. Community Chest, Girls’ First,

PESS Achievements in Rhondda Cynon Taf (cont’d) Development of competitive structure for school sport (e.g. netball league in Porth Cluster and Sporting tournaments in Tonyrefail Cluster. Development of PE and School Sport newsletter sharing ideas and celebrating good practice in Rhondda Cynon Taf Encouraging primary schools to embrace dragon sport advocating inclusion and participation in sport rather than competition Promotion of health agenda in each school, working with other agencies such as Healthy School Scheme to promote physical activity and good nutrition

Monitoring of PESS Local level – ESIS (annual review meetings with all development centre schools) National level – Estyn