FAQ – Barclays Girls’ Football School Partnerships by England Football
- Demonstrate the value of girl’s football within whole school through delivery of bespoke interventions for schools through which schools can access FREE CPD and resources
- Advocate the impact of football on girls’ wellbeing, leadership and achievement
- Develop and test specialist interventions and learning through the vehicle of football in schools
- Collaborate with partners to support transition of young people to sustain their involvement in girls’ football.
What does each Barclays Girls’ Football School Partnership receive?
- National recognition as a pioneering network of partnerships driving the girls’ game forward in England
- Training, resources, equipment and engagement with positive role models
- Networking opportunities to share best practice, inspire learning and maximise impact
- Opportunities for the schools in their partnerships to attend high profile women’s football matches and access to other reward and recognition opportunities.
What does giving equal access to girls in schools really mean?
Our collective vision is to provide every girl with equal access to football in school by 2024, by giving girls the same opportunities as boys to:
- Learn through football in PE lessons
- Participate in extra-curricular football sessions
- Compete in school fixtures/events
- Lead football activity for others
How many schools are in a Barclays Girls’ Football School Partnerships?
Across the country BGFSP’s vary in size and can be between 30-300 schools. In the 2023/24 academic year, over 20,000 schools in the network accessing the support and programmes.
What is a host school of a Barclays Girls’ Football School Partnership?
A champion school that leads on all girls’ football in the local area, co-ordinating across a family of primary, secondary and special schools. They are part of a pre-existing network of schools with a history of collaborating and working together.
Who leads the work of a Barclays Girls’ Football School Partnership?
Each BGFSP has a dedicated education expert for this programme, known as a Strategic Lead. Strategic Leads are employed by the host school, so fully embedded into everyday school life. The investment from Barclays pays for their release, so they have dedicated time to focus on girls’ football. The Strategic Lead will explain the benefits of providing football for girls to Headteachers and Heads of PE, such as the positive impact it can have on their confidence and well-being. They will provide support and advice on what football programmes will best suit girls in particular schools.
What role do Lead Inclusion Schools have in the Barclays Girls’ Football School Partnerships programme?
Each BGFSP has an assigned Lead Inclusion School who have a role to ensure girls with SEN/D are able to access opportunities and fall in love with football, they will offer:
- Develop relationships with key stakeholders in inclusion space (Panathlon, County FA disability lead).
- Signpost and make recommendations to national training opportunities that will enhance inclusive practice (e.g. (All About Autism/Top Sportsability).
- Transition girls into inclusive community clubs through drafting a list and signposting to inclusive clubs in their areas