Leeds Rhinos Foundation Schools Partnership Officer Richard Cattley has completed his Assessment Only Route to QTS qualification supported by staff from Armley based Partner School Swallow Hill Community College over the past 12 weeks.
Richard under the mentorship of Assistant Principal Danielle Williams has achieved the qualification as part of his teaching at the school, where he has taken on the role similar to that of a Schools Sports Co-ordinator, with time split between seven of the cluster primary schools in Armley and Swallow Hill Community College.
One of the successes in his role has been the implementation of a series of sporting competitions for the primary schools to reflect the coaching the children receive in their primary school lessons, seeing a variety of events across the school year taking place at the College.
Mentor Danielle Williams, commented on working with Richard this term for his qualification,
"Richard was a fantastic trainee to mentor, who was fully committed to developing and enhancing his own practice, as well as providing outstanding opportunities for the students at Swallow Hill.”
As part of the role Richard has also developed a programme working with sports leaders from Swallow Hill, who assist in the running of the events with roles such as refereeing, scoring and running drills with the primary school children, giving students the chance to gain some first-hand experience of leading events.
Commenting on the relationship between the college and Leeds Rhinos Foundation through the Partner Schools programme, Principal at the school Saira Luffman added:
“We have been delighted with the impact of the work of Richard and the Partnership, it has become an integral part of what we do.”
The school have seen a dramatic rise in student sports participation, increased inter-school competitions and enrichment opportunities for males and females through the partnership and a 100% increase in the number of sports leaders trained, who have drastically improved attendance and achievement in school on the back of their roles.
The partnership has also provided an improved link between Swallow Hill and the seven feeder schools in the Armley Area, with overall initial admission numbers increased by 62% from the primary schools in year 1 and a 57% increase in first choice requests in the year 2.
Richard’s personal development has also been highlighted through the qualification with him fully engaged in developing and enhancing his subject knowledge in a range of sports, while delivering high quality PE, both practical and theory at all key stages from Year 7 to Year 11.
The qualification has also tasked Richard with working on developing teaching and learning, behaviour management strategies and understanding the needs of all students as well as, national initiatives and how these can impact on teaching and learning in the classroom.
General Manager at Leeds Rhinos Foundation Davide Longo, who along with Richard, presented a signed Leeds Rhinos shirt to the school as a thank you for their support commented:
“The partnership between Swallow Hill and Leeds Rhinos Foundation is a great example of organisations working together to improve standards of what was already an outstanding offer to the schools from the locality.
“Continued professional development is something that we value within the foundation and Richard gaining his QTS is reward for all the hard work over the past two years that Richard and all the primary cluster have achieved.”