Cumbria School Games Social Me Transition Festival

May 3, 2023

The latest in a series of festivals providing opportunities for school children from across Westmorland and Furness and Cumberland to take part in sports and physical activities are taking place on Wednesday 3rd May at Hoops Basketball Centre in Barrow in Furness and Thursday 4th May at Moorclose Community Centre in Workington. 

The Social Me Transition Festival is designed to bring together Primary and Secondary students from the same area in an enjoyable, collaborative and developmental environment.  Activities are based around Sportshall Athletics with the emphasis placed on how everyone’s personality and personal best can contribute to Squad Challenges and Goals. The purpose is not primarily competition, but rather to foster teamwork and develop communication and collaboration skills.

Organised by Active Cumbria, the Active Partnership for Cumbria hosted by Cumberland Council, six schools will participate in the event with children from school years 6 and 7 represented.

The focus of the events is very much in-line with the mission of the School Games which is to keep sport at the heart of schools in Cumbria providing young people with opportunities to achieve their personal best and support their physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing through sport and physical activity.

Schools attending the festival include Sacred Heart Catholic Primary and St Bernard’s Catholic High School, from Barrow-in-Furness; Coniston CofE Primary School and John Ruskin School, and Beaconside CofE Primary School and Ullswater Community College, from Penrith (3rd May).  Schools attending on 4th May include Ewanrigg Junior, Netherhall School, Jericho Primary and St Benedict's Catholic High.

In addition to the participants, young people from St Bernard’s Catholic High School (Barrow) and Sandside Lodge School (Ulverston) and Netherhall School and Mayfield will attend as Sports Leaders and assist with leading and officiating at the events, helping develop their skills and confidence in teamwork and leadership.

Active Cumbria Development Officer and Children Young People Lead (Education), Kirsty Williamson said “We are excited to be bringing this new event as part of our School Games calendar as we recognise the importance of the transition between primary and secondary school. We hope that by attending this event our year 6 children will feel more confident about moving schools and on into year 7.”

Cumbria School Games are delivered in partnership with School Games Organisers, schools, clubs, national governing bodies of sport and local partners and are sponsored by The Cumberland and BBC Radio Cumbria.

In support of Active Cumbria’s commitment to ‘Kick out Plastic in Sports’, a national campaign which aims to reduce the amount of single use plastics at sports events, all children and young people attending the festivals will receive a reusable drinks bottle and water will be provided to top up regularly throughout the day.  And where possible, event resources and supplies have been sourced sustainably.

Click here for more information about Cumbria School Games