One of the leaders involved in both festivals was Sam.  Sam delivered the Boccia activity for the pupils during the festivals and, after a nervous start trying to deliver the details of all 20 rules of Boccia; Sam learnt how to shorten these instructions to deliver clear concise rules to explain the game.

“I started being a leader about a year ago, and it’s pretty good, actually a wonderful experience! I enjoy the enjoyment of teaching people and talking to new people. Here I’ve learnt Boccia, noughts and crosses, casual Boccia, hungry hippos and I’ve learnt how to use the bikes! It’s all very interesting. I really enjoy sport in school.  I have done football, basketball, hockey clubs - mostly in school, but once after school. It’s nice to get out and get exercise, you know the average stuff. Leading is great because I’m teaching and making a difference and being a role model and stuff and they [the participants] were really nice today; they were eager to join in and even though they used to think Boccia’s boring, it’s not - I once won an award in Boccia, and it was the best day. PE is one of my favourite lessons.  The teachers are very kind and always try to help me to improve. They have given us lots of training for today, so much that I needed a lie down on my back.”

Evan, who led the Defending the Towers activity at the festival, demonstrated confidence and collaboration throughout both festivals.  Alongside delivering clear instructions for the game created (by himself!), Evan also showed care and compassion, feeding back positive reinforcement to his peers in addition to the pupils participating.

“I think the festival's gone really well today. I think the kids had a great time, and I’ve had a great time too. They’ve been really easy to teach and that’s what’s really important is being able to have the opportunity for us to do this, and them to come. Today I’ve learnt to speak up and be clear when giving instructions. When we were doing the towers activity, there were some people that were walking up and down and getting in the way but not really playing the game, but by the end we’d helped them to do the game properly - throwing and knocking the towers down. It can sometimes be hard to speak to people for the first time, but once you get through that, you can do really well as a leader.”

One of the shifts in confidence on the day was seen in young leader Daisey, who was the youngest leader on the day in year 7. When starting the festival, Daisey was very nervous, looking down at her feet when she spoke and whispering the recap of instructions.  By the end of the festival, Daisey was leading the instructions from the offset, projecting her voice across the room and identifying anxious pupils who needed one-to-one support. Once identified, Daisey would teach them the activity in a role-modelling format, so they could play together. This transformational change in Daisey was inspiring to witness and her passion can be found in her reflections below:

“The event was really exciting, seeing everyone take part in the activities and seeing everyone happy and enjoying it very much. This is my first time, and I was quite nervous, but when you’ve done it a couple of times it’s actually quite exciting. I’ve learnt stuff today I’ve never learnt before, and I’d definitely do it again. I would tell people to try it because they can do it really well, and you’re not on your own because other leaders can help you to be great at it too.”

The teachers from the visiting schools commented throughout the day on the professionalism and excellent delivery from the young leaders from Orchard Manor. One teacher even expressed the inspiration she had felt from observing the different activities, asking the participants if they’d like them to be added to the PE and school sports activities back at their school, or even in the playground at break times.

These two festivals celebrate the remarkable work of Orchard Manor’s teaching team in collaboration with the Dartmoor School Sport Partnership who were on hand to support the delivery of the day. Their collective efforts have not only provided an opportunity for pupils with SEND locally to participate in new activities and represent their own school, but have also developed invaluable life skills for their own pupils with SEND.

Our PE Team's commitment to inclusive PE is creating a lasting impact — for educators, students, and the wider community — establishing a model that can inspire inclusive practice amongst the county.