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 our friendly tournament which focuses on Teamwork, Respect and fun. We have a slightly different format that we utilise to support one player on each team: down either side of the pitch, we create a channel which means that 1 player can play unopposed and support their team from there. This works incredibly well to develop confidence and as a team tactic. Throughout the morning, we use a round-robin format so that each team gets to play everyone else. 5 points are awarded for a win/ 3 points for a draw and 1 point for a loss. We are incredibly fortunate at these event to be supported by the amazing Sports Leadership students from Stoke Damerel – they referee and score all of our games as well as supporting the teams and making sure the event runs smoothly, so everyone can have a good time. At the end of the morning, when all the games have been played, it is my pleasure to announce the results… congratulations to Stoke Damerel, who were our overall winners today and well done to everyone who took part – you played brilliantly and represented your schools admirably – well done everyone. Thank you to all the teachers who braved the cold with me so that the event could go ahead. I’m already looking forward to our Girls only event coming up later this term – check out the PSSP website and make sure you are booked on. 

Mrs Claire Cormack 

PE Specialist Teacher  - Plymouth School Sports Partnership. 

Thursday 13th November 2025 - 56 Pupils from Pilgrim, St Josephs,Hooe, Pomphlett, Whitleigh and Prince Rock primaries came to Coombe Dean School to participate in a multiskills festival. Supported by a great bunch of year 9 sports leaders, the children ran, jumped, hurdled, dribbled and balanced their way around a circuit organised to develop fundamental movement skills.  The children had a great time and the leaders were amazing cheering, high fiving and supporting the children throughout the afternoon.  Well done and thanks for coming to Coombe Dean school!

Mrs Jan Walpole - PE Specialist Teacher

Coombe Dean School

01752 406961

jwalpole@coombedean.plymouth.sch.uk

Friday 17th October we held the NGB Award 1 - FA Step Into Sport Girls Coaching Award, aimed at KS4 or KS5 Females. The event was held at Eggbuckland Community College, the weather was good, so we were able to use their grass football pitches. 

The students Learning Outcomes:

• Explore the skills and qualities that make an effective coach
• Explain the basic principles and skills of the game
• Deliver engaging practices to a group of participants with confidence

The programme included 6 modules

• What is Coaching
• The Game
• Engaging Players
• Practical Coaching
• Planning to Coach
• Step Into Coaching

Wednesday 15th October 2026 - Today was our first ever Girls only PSSP Inclusive Football event for secondary-age students in mainstream and special schools. Run by girls for girls, this event was one to remember. We only had 4 teams with us today, but I have a feeling this is going to become a very popular event in future terms. Representing their schools today were students from Cann Bridge, Plympton Academy, Stoke Damerel and Tor Bridge High. There was a real buzz in the air as the teams started to arrive and this continued throughout the event. Our team of all-female Sports Leaders from Stoke Damerel Community College were on hand to referee and score the games but also to be positive role models for the team players. They did an incredible job, everyone who took part had a great time, so thank you for all your hard work today. This event is a round-robin  so every school gets to play all the others. 5 points are awarded for a win, 3 points for a draw and 1 point for a loss. Once all the games were completed, we finalised the scores, and we had a certificate presentation in the clubhouse. In the end, 2 teams finished on the same points for 3rd and 4th place and 2 teams finished on the same points for 1st and 2nd spots.

To establish the final order, we looked back over the number of goals scored throughout the tournament, so the final results were (drum roll please)… Congratulations to Tor Bridge High, who were our overall winners today and to Cann Bridge who were our runners-up. Well done to everyone who took part today, I really hope that you all enjoyed it and would be keen to come back again. I am definitely going to host more of these events – I had the best time! Check out the PSSP calendar for more inclusive events. 

Mrs Claire Cormack 

PE Specialist Teacher - Plymouth School Sports Partnership

As part of their BTEC Sport OAA module, students from Plympton Academy have been taking part in Canoeing, Mountain Biking and Climbing.

Canoeing

We had a perfect day with blue skies and flat water for the Canoeing. The group learned the basics of paddling and controlling the Canoes, before going on a journey to Hooe Lake. During the session the students made great progress and were all looking confident by the end.

Mountain Biking

During the mountain biking sessions we accessed some of the trails in Plymbridg Woods. The group covered the basic skills before taking on a journey and using what they had learned to ride increasingly technical terrain. On the second session they explored more challenging terrain, applying some more advanced techniques. They also had the additional challenge mud and rain making the tracks more exciting!

Indoor Climbing

At the Plymouth Life Centre the group used the bouldering room to tackle a variety of challenges and have accessed the climbing wall for top rope climbing and by using the autobelay. They have had a chance to try several different routes of varying difficulty, and also had a go at belaying.