Newsletters

In The Loop Secondary Edition

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ISSUE 053

Year 9 Boys Rugby Festival 

The Year 9 Boys rugby festival started off in dry, even perhaps slightly sunny weather.  The event was attended by teams from Coombe Dean, Devonport High School for Boys, Eggbuckland, Lipson, Plympton Academy, St Boniface's and Stoke Damerel.

The matches were extremely competitive with lots of tries being scored by all teams.  As the weather took a turn for the worse, we shortened or cancelled games to ensure that the experience remained positive for those taking part.  DHSB were unbeaten at the event and took first place with Stoke Damerel in second place and Coombe Dean and Eggbuckland tying for 3rd place.

Well done to all those who attended, thank you to OPM Rugby Club for allowing us the use of the Club House and thank you to Marjons who provided referees.

This week on Friday 21st November we go again with Year 8 with the Year 7 ‘Cunningham Cup’ taking place on Friday 26th March 2026.

Enrichment in Action: Practical Approaches from Schools and Trusts 

You can watch the webinar recording below and download the presentation slides here. Answers to some of the questions asked during the session are also available here.

Thank you once again for being part of this session and for all you do to help young people thrive through sport and physical activity.

WATCH RECORDING

Inclusive schools, Active Girls –Reducing barriers and enable every girl to move. 

We hope you enjoy watching the workshop and will be inspired to “fix the kit” and please do take a look at: Inclusive Sportswear | Home for tools resources and how to sign up to the charter.

Inclusive schools, Active Girls - Policy Leadership & practical tools to reduce barriers and enable every girl to move.-20251113 on Vimeo

New curriculum can start new chapter for PE, school sport and play 

The Youth Sport Trust and Association for Physical Education (afPE) have welcomed the publication of the Curriculum and Assessment Review’s final report and the Government’s response to the recommendations, calling for today to turn the page on a new chapter for Physical Education (PE), school sport and play.

Over the past year, led by Professor Becky Francis CBE, the Curriculum and Assessment Review has received evidence from a wide range of stakeholders, and delivered deep-dive sessions on a series of subjects, including PE. The Youth Sport Trust and afPE have contributed to the Review throughout, including through attendance at the PE deep dive, and are pleased to see the sector’s insights inform the Review’s findings and subsequent Government response.

Following the publication of the Review’s report, the Department for Education has responded to indicate how the Review’s recommendations will be incorporated into the revised curriculum. Key measures include:

Physical Education (PE)

  • Revisiting the aims of compulsory PE across all four key stages to support the development of fundamental movement skills, and participation in sport and physical activity, highlighting the role of PE in supporting pupils’ wellbeing and educational outcomes.
  • Ensuring the Key Stage 4 curriculum has a clear purpose for pupils so schools recognise the need to protect two hours of PE time for all pupils throughout their time at school.
  • Considering how swimming, dance, and outdoor and adventurous activities are presented to ensure they support quality teaching and progression.
  • Working with Ofqual and stakeholders to review the PE GCSE subject content to make sure the purpose is distinct from the Key Stage 4 curriculum, with an emphasis on supporting wider participation including for pupils with disabilities.
  • Adding further detail to content on dance within PE, and included within the remit of new PE and School Sports Partnerships to build capability and confidence in the teaching of dance.

https://www.youthsporttrust.org/news-listings/news/new-curriculum-can-start-new-chapter-for-pe-school-sport-and-play-say-sector-leaders

Upcoming Webinar: Exploring Player Characteristics in Girls’ Football

We’re excited to announce the first in a series of three webinars delivered by the Barclays Talent Education Team across the schools network.

Taking place on Monday 9 December at 4-4:30pm, the first session will:

  • Introduce the key characteristics that form part of the national talent framework, exploring what they mean in practice
  • Showcase examples of these characteristics in action, bringing them to life on the pitch
  • Highlight how this framework supports the identification and development of talented girls, linking with the upcoming 'Discover My Talent' referral window in January.

We look forward to helping teachers recognise these characteristics within their school environments, and to supporting girls as they develop their potential, express themselves through football, and demonstrate the values and behaviours that help players thrive both on and off the pitch.

Webinar: Future Lioness Characteristics – What the characteristics look like in football by The Football Association

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Y8 Rugby Festival @ KGV
10:00am – 2:00pm
21
November
19 Nov 2025
PSSP Secondary & Special Schools Football
Wednesday 19th November 2025 – Even the forecast for snow couldn’t keep some of our PSSP schools away this morning for our termly Inclusion Football event. Cann Bridge, Tor Bridge, Stoke Damerel and Plympton Academy all came along to take part in o...
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