TOP Programme
TOP Programme in Aberdeenshire
The TOP Programme is a national initiative developed by the Youth Sports Trust aimed at Primary aged children. It is a joint curriculum (school) and community programme that is designed to encourage sports participation and develop skills associated with this. The programme is co-ordinated by the Youth Sports Trust but it also receives financial support from Sportscotland. Developed to support teachers, leaders, coaches and other adults in introducing young people into sport, the TOP Programme appeals to all levels of ability including those with special needs.
Aims and Objectives
- TOP Play is designed to support 4 to 9 year olds as they develop core skills.
- TOP Sport provides 7 to 12 year olds with opportunities to develop skills in a range of specific sports.
Lottery Award
Lottery funding to the value of £210,870 has been invested across Aberdeenshire schools and community sites. The majority of the award was for equipment and coaching resources.
Resources
TOP Play and TOP Sport are similar in that they include resource cards, equipment and training / support for teachers and leaders.
- TOP Sport equipment bags include: athletics, badminton, basketball, cricket, hockey, netball, rugby, squash, shinty, table tennis, tennis and volleyball.
- TOP Play equipment includes child friendly, multi-coloured equipment such as mini-rackets, bats, balls, beanbags and markers.
- Resource cards are available for dance, fitness, outdoor activities and gymnastics each linked to the National Curriculum.
- In addition to the school resources over 300 community clubs/organisations have received training and resources.
TOP Curriculum
- 12 Visiting PE Specialist nationally trained to deliver TOP training to class teachers
- Secondment of a Visiting PE Specialist to the Sports Development team as TOP Curriculum Programme Manager
- Over 1500 teachers trained to deliver the TOP Programme
- 150 Primary schools have received Approx. £500 worth of TOP equipment
- Creation of a Primary PE Curriculum development group which has developed PE Guidelines for Aberdeenshire. These guidelines have been distributed to all Aberdeenshire schools and are designed to guide schools on how to incorporate PE into the School Development plan more effectively and provide guidance on how to build a progressive PE curriculum into classroom forward plans. The guidelines incorporate a variety of resources currently in schools including the TOP Programme.
- 8 Visiting PE Specialists nationally trained to deliver training to class teachers for Additional Resource Cards.
- Additional Resource Cards have been sources for schools, which have requested them.
School and Community Programme
The programme cannot operate without both school and community being committed to TOP Play / Sport. This facilitates a smooth transition between school and community based sporting activity and establishes links between other coaching and leadership programmes. Community use will normally come through established clubs, such as extra curricular activities, sports clubs, sports activities at a local sports centre/village hall, uniformed organisation.
TOP Community
- 10 staff from Sports Development and Recreation have undergone national TOP Training and can deliver TOP Training to community leaders
- Over 300 community groups have received TOP Community training
- Over 400 group leaders have been trained to deliver TOPS in our communities the vast majority of these are adults giving their time on a voluntary basis
- Local networking between Community Learning, Sports Development staff, PE staff both primary and academy, Aberdeenshire Sports Council, Active Schools Co-ordinators, The Child Care partnership, local sports clubs, uniformed organisations and Community Recreation staff to deliver the TOP Community programme.
Future
- Develop a calendar of CPD training opportunities for class teachers for TOP Dance, TOP Outdoors, Fit for TOPS and TOP Gymnastics
- Develop links with the Active Schools Network
- Consider how TOP Up training, developed by National Governing Bodies of Sport, could be incorporated into the annual teachers CPD calendar.
- Continue to support schools and community groups in their delivery of the TOP programme
- Develop links between community TOP trainers and Grampian Coaching web address www.grampiancoaching.org.uk
- Maintain and develop links with the Youth Sports Trust and Sportscotland to ensure Aberdeenshire Council is in a position to link into national opportunities, which could enhance quality of life in our community.
For further information contact:
Louise Liddell
Sports Development Officer
Gordon House
Blackhall Road
Inverurie
AB51 3WA
Tel: 01467 628126
Email: louise.liddell@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
