Stromness Academy pupils graduate as Orkney’s first Level 6 Sports Leaders

Orkney’s sports scene is set for continued success with seven young people from Stromness Academy achieving their Level 6 Sports Leaders qualification – a first for Orkney.  

Developed by Leadership Skills Foundation and supported through sportscotland Active Schools teams around Scotland, the course is a Level 6 SCQF qualification and takes young people through the paces of championing and developing sport in their communities.  

Principal Teacher of PE at Stromness Academy, Hamish Flett, set the ball rolling for the course at Stromness Academy with the help of Orkney Islands Council’s Active Schools team and has assisted this first crop of Sports Leaders from the start.  

Hamish said: “The programme not only refined the leadership skills of each Sports Leader who took part, but also delivered some great benefits to the wider school community – for example pupils ran a Christmas event and contributed to provision of our lunchtime clubs at the school.” 

The Sports Leaders course is divided up into six different units which take place in school time (five periods per week) where candidates plan and develop physical activity events and sessions and get a better understanding of how to manage those safely and inclusively.  

They must also deliver activities for a range of ages and abilities, lead community sessions, support lunchtime clubs at school and get involved in events such as the Orkney Parasport Festival.  

Michael Swanney is Active Schools Coordinator with Orkney Islands Council. He said: “While KGS and Stromness Academy have both run Level 5 Sports Leaders in the past, the Level 6 qualification is a huge undertaking – and these young people have taken it in their stride.  

“The recent Orkney Parasport festival was testament to the benefits of the course – there was such a buzz having the Sports Leaders there to help on the day, and it was inspiring to see the support, encouragement and direction our Sports Leaders brought to the festival.    

"It’s a very worthwhile qualification covering a huge range of skills and practical experience in leading events and activities.”  

Chair of OIC’s Education, Leisure and Housing Committee, Gwenda Shearer, said: “This a fantastic first for Orkney, and I’m sure our Level 6 Sports Leaders will go on to become fixtures in our sporting scene, helping keep the community active.”  

Notes:  

More about Active Schools:  

sportscotland’s Active Schools network works in partnership with school communities and local Active Schools coordinators to develop quality sporting opportunities for children and young people and pathways to sports clubs in their community. 

More about sportscotland: 

sportscotland is the national agency for sport, helping the people of Scotland get the most from the sporting system. Responsible through ministers to the Scottish Parliament, our role is to make sure sport plays its part in a thriving Scotland. We do this by influencing, informing and investing in the organisations and people who deliver sport and physical activity. Find out more at https://sportscotland.org.uk/ 

More about Leadership Skills Foundation (formerly known as Sports Leaders UK) 

The Leadership Skills Foundation is a prominent awarding organisation dedicated to the development of leadership skills in young people. We bring these essential skills to life through practically applied qualifications and accredited awards across the curriculum and beyond, empowering learners with the confidence to believe, the qualities to lead and the skills to succeed. Find out more at https://leadershipskillsfoundation.org/