CYP Coordinator programme at Patcham High School targets teenage girls

At Patcham High School, a simple idea is creating an important shift: give girls a safe, judgement‑free space to move, explore and enjoy being active. 

During seven weeks, the after‑school sessions, funded through the CYP Coordinator programme and overseen by Active Sussex, have invited girls who often shy away from PE to try different sports and activities to help them reconnect with the joy of movement.

The Tuesday after-school sessions ranged from trampolining, yoga, and pilates to dodgeball, benchball, cricket, and boxfit.

A judgement-free zone

Sofia, from Year 10, said: “It has been a really nice variety. I like being active and doing sport, but in PE I do not want to join in all the time because I feel like I am being judged by my peers.

“It is just girls coming to these sessions, so it is a judge-free zone, and we get to try things we do not normally get to do.

“I really enjoy the yoga and pilates – I like the mindfulness and calming atmosphere.

“I really enjoy it and hope we can continue it next term and even next year.”

The session

The Pilates session, although fairly informal and lighthearted – there were many bouts of giggling as they went through the unfamiliar moves – saw all 11 girls take part and concentrate for the 45 minutes.

Rosie Crompton, from Wild Rose Yoga, led both the pilates and the previous yoga sessions at the secondary school in Brighton. 

Throughout the session, she carefully explained the Pilates positions and the differences between them and yoga. 

She also made sure the postures were adaptable, so they could be easier or harder for the girls.

Rosie said she was impressed with the level of concentration among the girls, adding: “The difference between doing a ‘fun’ sport, such as dodgeball, is that we are asking them to be quiet and concentrate.

“Having done the yoga as well, it was interesting to see the difference. In some ways, this is more familiar, whereas in yoga I did a lot on grounding and breathwork.”

The response

The response to the sessions has been very positive. 

One Year 8 pupil described it as ‘challenging’ while Ava, also from Year 8, revealed she did not take part in PE due to a lung infection caused by asthma, but that these sessions were ‘really good’.

When asked what other activities they would like to try, the list included rounders, football, tennis and volleyball.

Helen Emerson, PE teacher and Head of Year at Patcham High School, said: “We have had some girls who have not engaged with extra-curricular activities, and they have now come to a club, so that is good.”

However, while the project has been successful in many ways, it has not necessarily engaged girls from ethnically diverse backgrounds as organisers had hoped.

Laura Howley, the CYP Co-ordinator for Brighton and Hove, explained: “We ran some focus groups with girls from ethnically diverse communities at the school who were not engaged in physical activity or PE.

“They wanted to try activities they would not normally try.”

The girls’ feedback also highlighted the need for a place where they could chat with their friends afterwards and have refreshments.

However, these girls did not then attend the sessions, or if they did, it was one or two at the start.

“At first, it engaged the girls who we really wanted to target, who were not that active. As it has gone on, the ones we wanted to engage at the start have dropped off,” admitted Laura.

Helen added: “It is really hard to unpick why [they have stopped attending]. 

“It was things they wanted to do so why did they not continue coming. We listened to what they said – girls only spaces, treats and snacks…I think what we need to do with them is ask what has stopped them coming.” 

The impact

Despite the drop‑off from some of the girls the project initially hoped to reach, the sessions have still opened doors for others who had never engaged in extra‑curricular activity before. 

For staff, the experience has highlighted both the potential of girls‑only, low‑pressure spaces, and the importance of continuing to listen, adapt and understand what young people really need to feel comfortable taking part.

What’s clear is that when the environment feels welcoming, flexible and free from judgement, girls respond. 

The challenge now is to build on what worked, unpick the barriers that remain, and co‑create the next steps with the girls themselves. 

Because even small shifts – a calmer space, a new activity, a moment of confidence – can be the spark that keeps them moving.