Calthorpe Academy is just one of our Pathway to Podium (P2P) schools that are thriving and providing a variety of opportunities for their young people. Calthorpe began the P2P journey in Autumn 2022, achieving Bronze with a score of 61%. In Autumn 2024 this had increased to Gold with a score of 84%.
The academy, part of the Thrive Education Partnership, is a 2-19 special needs school in the centre of Birmingham with approximately 450 learners. Through the 3 different pathways, the curriculum is individualised to the needs of the learner, and this enables them to deliver a high-quality physical development curriculum aimed at providing opportunities for learners to become physically confident in a way that supports a healthy lifestyle and contributes towards the skills our learners need for the life they want. They provide a safe and supportive environment for learners to flourish in a range of different physical and sensory activities which are essential in supporting their physical, emotional, social and moral development. Through regular formative and summative assessment, tasks are matched to the ability of each learner through differentiated activities, providing a level of challenge that is stimulating for all and allows progress at an appropriate pace for the learner.
One of the criteria of P2P is student leadership and volunteering. Their young people recently took part in a 10-week course where learners were able to obtain their Level 1 Sports Leaders qualification. The course was implemented to stretch and challenge higher ability learners to develop their confidence and communication skills within a range of different settings.
Learners gained a broad range of skills and qualities. They then put these into practice by leading peer PE sessions and different classes of all age ranges at Calthorpe Academy. Once learners felt comfortable to lead sessions to their peers, they then led sessions for young people at a local school. It didn’t stop there! – they also supported Calthorpe’s sports days at Norman Green Stadium!
Their Sport Leaders have demonstrated an improvement in their confidence and communication skills not only in their PE lessons but during their classroom-based lessons. The young people now feel more confident contributing to group discussions.
A Year 12 Sports Leader said “I really enjoyed leading the PE lessons. It was fun and it made me confident”.
Programmes like Sports Leaders enables young people to develop their fundamental movements, transferable skills, handling of objects, understanding of their own body & health and levels of self-care & independence. Leaderships skills also go hand in hand with supporting their transition into the wider workforce and adult life.
It is evident that there is time, commitment and dedication from all staff at Calthorpe to provide a unique learning experience for their learners, along with Subject Leaders & SLT providing exceptional CPD opportunities for their staff.
Calthorpe’s Top Tips
- Stay in touch with your local School Games Organiser for support.
- Try to get involved with as many events as possible.
- Complete the Pathway to Podium plan to highlight any areas for improvement.
If you would like to hear more about Pathway to Podium and how we can support your school, please contact Jayne Piller jayne.piller@sportbirmingham.org
For further details on P2P click here