PL Primary Stars: Jenna's journey
“I really didn’t enjoy PE when I was at school, now, thanks to Connor at Saints Foundation, I can confidently say I can teach PE.”
Jenna’s journey with Premier League Primary Stars saw her go from someone with a barrier up against PE formed when she was a pupil, to a teacher who can confidently deliver PE sessions for her pupils.
Next year, Jenna will be celebrating 10 years as a teacher at Thornhill Primary School, and prides herself on the relationships she can build with her pupils. In the classroom she felt confident, but has never previously needed to teach PE.
“In the classroom, I felt like a really strong teacher, but we’ve always had a PE teacher here, so I never needed to teach that,” Jenna said.
“I really didn’t enjoy PE at school. I’ve never been into sports really, and you remember those moments when you are younger where a teacher maybe hasn’t made you feel very good when you couldn’t get over the high jump.”
Our Premier League Primary Stars project provides targeted support in Southampton Primary Schools to inspire children to learn and be active. In addition to direct work with pupils, the project also works with teachers to increase their confidence in delivering Physical Education sessions.
Connor, Premier League Primary Star at Thornhill, reflected on his first conversations with Jenna, “I was introduced to Jenna in January this year. As she mentioned she disliked PE, it wasn’t her favourite subject at all, shedidn’t like it as a pupil in school and hasn’t enjoyed it since.”
“She wasn’t sure if she wanted to do the CPD [Continued Professional Development] or not. It took a few conversations, but she gave it a go and took it in her stride and got herself really invested.”
The CPD from PL Primary Stars involves helping to plan PE sessions, supporting on bringing skills within the classroom outside, and increasing confidence within delivering physical activity.
Connor explained: “Week by week you could see the difference in her, and her confidence,. You could see that she was pulling her skills and passion from the classroom and putting them into her PE.
“We always say, there are so many similarities between classroom and PE, you can still bring the same skills, and that’s exactly what she did.”
Jenna was born and raised in Thornhill, which plays a huge role in her passion and love for helping the pupils that grew up in similar circumstances to her. She has continued to strive in her ability and skills to give the children of Thornhill Primary School the best experience.
Talking about her progress, Jenna said: ”I’ve got ideas, and I can engage with children outside. That was a big thing for me, having to use your voice outside the classroom. PE was the only subject I felt I couldn’t teach, but now that is not the case, and that is quite amazing really”.
“Primary Stars are just really good, very supportive and lot’s of communication. I’m very organised anyway, so Connor being like that as well was really helpful.”
The progress Jenna has made with PL Primary Stars has been noticed across the school, and will open the door for more of her colleagues go on the same journey she has.
Damian, PE Lead for Thornhill Primary School, explained: “The transformation has been amazing, she is confident, she is able to do it independently, she has put into practice the things that Connor has shown her, and she is able to talk to other staff so that they aren’t as nervous when they go through the cycle because they have Jenna to rely on.”
“Primary Stars has made a huge impact in the school right down to the extra after school clubs, allowing more children to have access to football than we have ever had before. The interventions have been very worthwhile, especially as the Primary Stars adapt to take on some of what we do in our curriculum.”
Thornhill Primary School has fully embraced the Premier League Primary Stars programme, particularly Jenna’s class who have imbeded the values of the project into their language with their existing school mascots. The school Bee represents working as a team & ‘being connected’ in the class, PE, and the playground alongside their Hardy Hedgehog that represents resilience & ‘being ambitious’.
Premier League Primary Stars is funded by the Premier League Charitable Fund, and uses the appeal of football to help children be active and develop essential life skills.
