Fairview School Sports Hub

Fairview School Sports Hub: Creating Opportunities, Building Confidence 

The idea for the Fairview School Sports Hub began when PE teacher, Stuart Farmer attended a training day at another school. During the event, staff from a neighbouring school shared the success of a sports hub they had established and the positive impact it was having on their pupils. Inspired by what he had heard, Stuart returned to Fairview with a vision to create something similar for the young people with disabilities in his school. 

The aim was to provide pupils with opportunities to learn new skills, meet new people, and build friendships through sport in a fun, inclusive and supportive environment. Beyond benefiting Fairview pupils, Stuart also hoped that the project would encourage other schools and sports clubs to explore similar partnerships and develop their own sports hubs within their communities. 

With the support of the Headteacher and class teachers, Stuart began contacting local clubs to gauge their interest in becoming involved. The response was overwhelmingly positive. Over the past year, Fairview School Sports Hub, in partnership with Perth & Kinross Disability Sport has successfully developed key partnerships with four local clubs, each bringing unique opportunities to pupils whilst delivering weekly sessions throughout the academic year. 

These partnerships include Perth Eagles Boccia Club, who deliver boccia sessions through coach, Graeme Doig. 

"The progress has been incredible to see as these skills have developed. Getting to know each pupil and understanding what motivates them has been essential in building positive relationships. We always have a lot of fun during our sessions, and establishing a consistent weekly routine has led to noticeable improvements in accuracy and precision. It's been fantastic to see a number of pupils gain the confidence to take part in our weekly boccia club sessions too." 

Louis Gallagher, Cricket development officer from Live Active, has delivered Table cricket sessions - Table cricket is an inclusive, adapted version of cricket played on a table tennis table, designed to allow people with disabilities to participate in the sport. Louis told us: 

“Our weekly table cricket sessions at Fairview school have been a real success, both for the pupils participating, and for our staff delivering. Having delivered a fair amount of these sessions personally. I can safely say it is an absolute highlight of the week for us as coaches. We’ve had a brilliant group of pupils participate over the last year, and it has been wonderful to see some of them taking part in regional and national table cricket festivals recently. A big thanks to Perth & Kinross Disability Sport, Stuart Farmer and all the Fairview team for all their support of cricket!” 

David Scobbie and Aiden Moffat from Tayside Judo Club embrace inclusive judo sessions in all they do in our community and have been a huge ally of both Perth & Kinross Disability Sort and Fairview school over the years. The club also provided judo kits for all taking part. David added: 

“We have loved the sessions and looked forward to them every week. It doesn’t feel like we are just taking a session, we really feel like we’ve been welcomed to the greater Fairview community as a whole and love how well the project is going and are excited to continue it next year. 

It’s been fantastic to see how much the pupils at Fairview have embraced Judo over the past year, their confidence, determination, enthusiasm, and pride have grown week by week, and it’s incredibly rewarding for our coaches to see them demonstrating the values of respect, resilience, and teamwork on and off the mat. they also look great in their new Tayside / Fairview Judo kits!” 

Weekly Fencing sessions led by coaches John and Jack from Salle Ossian Fencing Club also proved very popular. 

Fairview PE teacher, Stuart Farmer reflected on the first full year of the Sports Hub. 

“The Sports Hub has opened up opportunities for pupils to take part in activities they may not otherwise have experienced. It allows them to be active, develop new sporting skills and interact with their peers in a structured and supportive setting. Having qualified coaches deliver sessions has enabled the school to offer a wider range of activities than would otherwise be possible, while also strengthening links between the school and the wider community. 

The long-term vision is for the school-based clubs to become pathways into community sport. By introducing pupils to clubs within the familiar environment of school, the hope is that they will gain the confidence and enthusiasm to continue participating at local clubs beyond the school day. In this way, the Sports Hub acts as a bridge between school and community sport, helping young people access opportunities that can continue throughout their lives. 

The impact on pupils has been significant. The Sports Hub has provided a safe and welcoming environment where pupils can try new sports, develop new skills and challenge themselves. Staff have seen pupils grow in confidence as they become more willing to take part, learn new techniques and engage with activities they may previously have avoided. Alongside improvements in physical skills, pupils' self-esteem and sense of achievement have also increased through their involvement in the clubs.” 

Looking ahead, Stuart is keen to build on the success of the Sports Hub. 

"The plan is to keep all four clubs going for next year and hopefully increase numbers in all of them from both our own pupils and from pupils from other schools. I would also like to add in another one or two new clubs too." 

Graeme Doig from Perth & Kinross Disability Sport added. 

“It’s been great seeing partnership working at its best to bring everyone together to offer sport and physical activity to the pupils at Fairview. There are many barriers to participation for pupils with disabilities and we feel we have smashed through many of them to make this happen. Well done to Stuart Farmer and all involved and we look forward to growing the Hub further next year.” 

When reflecting on the highlights of the past year, one memory stands out above all others. 

"The biggest highlight of the year so far was the judo suits arriving and all the pupils wearing them. One class did a walk round the school showing them off. It was the best sight." 

That moment perfectly captured what the Fairview Sports Hub is all about. It is not simply about sport; it is about giving pupils opportunities to belong, to achieve, to grow in confidence and to experience the pride that comes from being part of something special. What started as an idea inspired by another school's success has become a thriving initiative that is helping Fairview pupils develop skills, build friendships and discover new possibilities for their future. 

More Impact Stories