Kent School Games Events 2024-25
Introduction
From Dodgeball festivals, inclusive cricket events to the KSENT Games and eco-ambassador training, the Kent School Games’ 2024-25 Event Calendar has been packed with energy, teamwork, and unforgettable moments. Thank you to all the schools and students who took part and to our partners and activity providers, we thank you for your commitment to help us create positive experiences and offer fun, inclusive activities for children and young people across Kent and Medway.
“The Kent School Games are a celebration of inclusion, teamwork and positivity. Our focus is on tackling inequalities, supporting physical literacy and increasing youth engagement. It’s been a privilege to see so many young people grow in confidence and thrive through all the inclusive activities this year.” Natalie Harris, Events and Safeguarding Manager, Active Kent & Medway
Panathlon (Football) Event
Date: 26 September 2024. Venue: Meadowfield School, Sittingbourne.
Theme: Social ME Event developing teamwork, cooperation and leadership.
Impact: Engaged 43 SEND girls who find it challenging to connect with group tasks and work with others.
“The girls enjoyed taking part. There was lots of enthusiasm and engagement. They are now keen to start their own girls football club off the back of the tournament.” Teacher
Active 60 Festivals
Date: 2 October 2024. Venue: Tides Leisure Centre, Deal.
Theme: Healthy ME Event aimed at pupils who need support to understand the physical and mental wellbeing benefits of being active. Also, those who are unable to sustain physical activity for a period of time.
Impact: Supported 23 primary students to choose healthier behaviours and attitudes. Engaged 12 sport leaders from Palm Bay Primary School.
“It was lovely to see all the children in the group participate with enthusiasm. It was also very clear to me that the children were not consciously thinking about the physical activity they were doing, as they were focused on the other elements of the games, like collecting ‘rubbish’ when plogging, or collecting and sorting plastic food items. The children were running, without focussing on running.” Teacher
Date: 7 October 2024. Venue: Swallows Leisure Centre, Sittingbourne.
Theme: Healthy ME Event aimed at pupils who need support to understand the physical and mental wellbeing benefits of being active. Also, those who are unable to sustain physical activity for a period of time.
Impact: Supported 27 primary students to choose healthier behaviours and attitudes. Engaged 10 sport leaders from Queenborough Primary School.
“We really enjoyed the event today. The children enjoyed the different activities. I thought the timings for each activity worked well. The staff were extremely helpful and friendly. They also led their sessions with clear instructions and good pace. Thank you for a super day.” Teacher
Kin-Ball Festival
Date: 13 November 2024. Venue: Maidstone Leisure Centre, Maidstone.
Theme: Social ME Event aimed at pupils who find it challenging to connect with group tasks and work with others.
Impact: Supported 58 students to develop teamwork, co-operation and leadership. Engaged 10 SEND sport leaders from The Beacon School.
“We had a lovely time and it was great to do something different and fun with students who wouldn’t normally make a school team.” Head of PE
WiseUp Team Building Events
Date: 6 December 2024. Venue: Medway Park, Gillingham.
Theme: Transition Event allowing Year 6 students to mix with Year 7 students to build confidence and support their transition from primary to secondary school.
Impact: Supported 55 Year 6 and Year 7 students who find it difficult to connect with group tasks and work with others. Engaged 7 sport leaders from Chatham Grammar School for Girls.
“Students demonstrated persistence, resilience and teamwork skills. Some tasks took 20 minutes or more to work out the problems and collectively find solutions. Some of the quieter students came forward and took on leadership. A big thank you for a fun and well organised day.” Head of PE
Date: 11 December 2024. Venue: Herne Bay Sports Hub.
Theme: Transition Event allowing Year 6 students to mix with Year 7 students to build confidence and support their transition from primary to secondary school.
Impact: Supported 70 Year 6 and Year 7 students who find it difficult to connect with group tasks and work with others. Engaged 14 sport leaders from Herne Bay High School.
“A thoroughly enjoyable day had by all. The quiet children were able to take a lead in problem solving some of the activities and overall, they seemed more excited about Year 7 and moving up to secondary school. The opportunities to be paired with older students was a fantastic experience for them and built some good bonds in the allotted time.” Family Liaison Officer
Inclusive Multi-Skills Cricket Event
Date: 31 January 2025. Venue: Polo Farm Sports Centre, Canterbury.
Theme: Physical ME Event aimed at students who need additional support to develop their movement competence and capabilities.
Impact: Supported 45 SEND students to develop physical literacy and movements of the body. Engaged 10 sport leaders from Mid Kent College.
“The sport leaders were fantastic, and the organisers were amazing. Our first time taking part and we will definitely be doing it again. A fantastic opportunity for the students and it was amazing to hear how much they enjoyed the day on way back to school.” PE Teacher
Table Cricket Event
Date: 26 February 2025. Venue: Spitfire Ground, Canterbury.
Theme: Competitive ME event for students to develop, practice and challenge their new Table Cricket skills.
Impact: Supported 58 SEND secondary-aged students who competed and achieved their personal best. Engaged 6 SEND sport leaders from The Beacon School.
“Thanks for the event. The students absolutely loved taking part, especially as it’s not something they are used to going to or playing during their usual PE lessons.” Teacher
Eco Ambassador Training Events
Date: 13 March 2025. Venue: Medway Park, Gillingham.
Theme: Eco Ambassador Training involved interactive workshops with Kent Wildlife Trust, Kent Schools Active Travel and Road Safety Team and Inspirational Speaker Liu Batchelor. Students thought about their environmental impact through sport and physical activity and created an action plan to be delivered back at school.
Impact: Engaged 60 Year 5 Young Leaders.
“All workshops kept the children engaged and were full of interesting facts and information.” Teaching Assistant
Date: 3 April 2025. Venue: Polo Farm Sports Centre, Canterbury.
Theme: Eco Ambassador Training involved interactive workshops with Kent Wildlife Trust, Kent Schools Active Travel and Road Safety Team and Inspirational Speaker and Ocean Activist Sarah Philpott. Students thought about their environmental impact through sport and physical activity and created an action plan to be delivered back at school.
Impact: Engaged 59 Year 5 Young Leaders.
“I liked learning about our planet and environment from the Kent Wildlife Trust.’ Student
Dodgeball Festival
Date: 2 April 2025. Venue: Medway Park, Gillingham.
Theme: Competitive ME event for students to develop, practice and challenge their new Dodgeball skills.
Impact: Supported 295 students (including 99 SEND students) from Year 7, 8, 9 and 10 who competed and achieved their personal best. Engaged 70 sport leaders from Mid Kent College.
“Thoroughly enjoyed taking part. Resilience in abundance, no storming off observed at all. Teamwork and cohesion, friendships built and embedded. Really lovely to observe. Maturity and independence shown by sport leaders as well.” Teacher
AquaSplash Event
Date: 15 May 2025. Venue: Larkfield Leisure Centre, Larkfield.
Theme: Physical ME event developing physical skills whilst in a swimming pool environment.
Impact: Supported 56 SEND students in Years 5, 6 and 7 developing their movement competence in water.
“Some students were very keen to do every race and some just wanted to do one. It was an excellently run event.” Head of PE
Multi-Skills Tennis Event
Date: 10 June 2025. Venue: Polo Farm Sports Centre, Canterbury.
Theme: Thinking ME event using tennis drills and activities to identify what students need to do to improve, by making effective decisions and evaluations.
Impact: Supported 38 SEND students in Years 5, 6, 7 and 8 who need support in developing their cognitive skills and their knowledge. Engaged 4 Canterbury Christ Church University students who delivered activities as part of their sports inclusion module.
“The students showed good teamwork when choosing their own partners and confidence when listening to another instructor.” Teacher
KSENT Games
Date: 17 June 2025. Venue: Medway Park, Gillingham.
Theme: Inclusion Event breaking down barriers to participation, ensuring pupils of different abilities enjoy fostering an environment of cooperation mutual support and respect. Includes a variety of activity stations ranging from wheelchair basketball, table cricket, sport stacking, boccia and more, with each activity station lasting approximately 15-20 minutes.
Impact: Supported 127 KS2 and 3 SEND students from 18 special schools across Kent and Medway. Engaged 24 Sport Leaders from Aylesford School and St John’s Catholic Comprehensive School in Gravesend.
Cricket Festival
Date: 24 June 2025. Venue: Kings Hill Cricket Club, Kings Hill.
Theme: Social ME event, delivered in partnership with Kent Cricket, to develop teamwork, cooperation and leadership through skills-based sessions and various cricket activities.
Impact: Supported 42 SEND students from primary schools in Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 who find it difficult to connect with group tasks and work with others. Engaged 11 sport leaders from Maplesden Noakes School.
“Children were more resilient and willing to give things a go. They were proud of themselves when previously they may have had a negative view of themselves.” Teacher
Date: 25 June 2025. Venue: Kings Hill Cricket Club, Kings Hill.
Theme: Social ME event, delivered in partnership with Kent Cricket, to develop teamwork, cooperation and leadership through skills-based sessions and various cricket activities.
Impact: Supported 92 SEND students from primary schools in Years 7, 8 and 9 who find it difficult to connect with group tasks and work with others. Engaged 11 sport leaders from Maplesden Noakes School.
“Parents commented how smoothly the event went today and were really happy with seeing how their children got on with each event.” Teacher
Contact Us
If you’d like to discuss any of the events listed above or would like to learn more about the School Games in Kent, please contact Natalie Harris, our Events and Safeguarding Manager, natalie.harris@kent.gov.uk