Sports Stars Programme

27th Jun, 2008, by J Owens

Five lucky Year 10 Kings of Wessex sports stars recently met British sprint athlete Jason Gardener at the Junior Athlete Education (JAE) Programme launch, organised by the Sedgemoor and Mendip School Sports Alliance.

The Junior Athlete Education programme is for students who compete at a high level in their sport and recognises the importance of helping young people balance the rigours of training and competitions in their sport, alongside the demands of schoolwork. Kings' P.E. Department will be working in partnership with Sedgemoor and Mendip Secondary Schools to deliver workshops in Lifestyle Management, Performance Profiling, Lifestyle Planning and Performance Parents.

Commenting on the initiative, Kings' School Sports Co-Ordinator Karolie Williams said, "This is a truly exciting programme that provides a realistic goal for our students to help them achieve their very best, whilst maintaining a healthy perspective on their studies".

Each school will be assigned a JAE Mentor who will be available for the students to discuss different issues as and when they arise. There is no cost to the school involved in the programme.

Kings enjoys a special tradition of sport. A few years ago, they welcomed Dame Kelly Holmes in school as part of the Sainsbury's Active Kids project. As School Sports Co-Ordinator Mrs Williams leads a team of Sports Leaders who complete a national qualification, attending events, and organising sports festivals for the Cheddar Valley First and Middle School students.