How peer led physical activity can increase engagement

Over 10,000 students have attended LSSP’s PE nurture club sessions.

The company redesigned its coach development leadership programme to increase participation rates in PE.

This was after realising that participation rates in PE and other physical activities have remained static for a while.

Sport England’s Youth Insight: Under the Skin states that the six broad motivations for participation are: fun and enjoyment, spending time with friends, being healthy, learning new skills, getting in shape and meeting new people.

LSSP thought about how sport and physical activity could be structured to provide all of these motivations. Its coach development leadership programme now has a nurture club approach led by students themselves.

Funded by the UEFA Foundation for Children, it delivered a three phased approach to give students the skills and qualifications needed.

Phase 1: Teambuilding and training Phase 2: Safety and accreditation

Phase 3: Delivery

So far, 427 leaders (143 boys and 284 girls) from 18 secondary schools have delivered 254 nurture club sessions. The participants reported having an increase in confidence, making friends with older students and motivation to engage in school life.

Schools reported an increase in academic attainment of the leaders, better organisational and time management skills.

A spokesperson for LSSP said: “This club was extremely successful right from the first session. There was no pressure to be competitive so students arrived and chose the sport they were interested in playing at that time.”

For more information about the

LSSP Leadership Programme email enquiries@lssp.co.uk or call 0151 530 3010