The school benefits from projects developed by the Physical Education department in partnership with the Risedale School Sports Partnership, its own Extended Schools Co-ordinator and supported by Lottery Funding.

The first project up and running was the after school Mountain Bike Club. As part of the Big Lottery Out of School Hours Programme, delivered by the Sports Partnership, School Sports Co-ordinator and PE Teacher Jon Berry endeavoured to share his passion for mud, sweat and gears with his pupils.

16 Mountain Bikes and safety equipment were purchased from Kudu Bikes in Hawes through the BLF funding and a trailer was funded through Extended Schools and other partners. This has allowed pupils without bikes to take part in the club and the trailer has meant challenging trips into Upper Wensleydale. Participants have learnt how to maintain the bikes and (unfortunately, they might say) how to clean them too!!
Jon tells us “ it has been great to see a number of our non sporty pupils really take to the biking, planning the routes, helping with the maintenance and completing some challenging rides. We’ve been able to increase the number of pupils accessing Out of School Clubs through this alternative club.”

In addition to Mountain Biking thanks to a grant of £10k from Lottery Awards for All scheme and support through Extended schools and 4Youth the school have been able to renovate a condemned climbing wall in the youth hall and purchase essential equipment to provide a facility available for school and community use.
Debbie Coulson Extended Schools Co-ordinator said “ we wanted to provide a facility that would benefit not only Wensleydale but our primary partners and community groups. The lack of indoor provision in the Dales can sometimes limit opportunities for developing new skills this grant will allow people of all ages in the community to try a new activity or practice something they actively do already.”

Two primary schools in the cluster will benefit from a junior climbing club set to start in the summer term funded through Sport Unlimited funding.

David Watson, Executive Director for North Yorkshire Sport adds “despite what some sections of the media might have us believe, initiatives like this clearly demonstrate that young people, given the right offer, are keen to get out in to the fantastic natural environment we have here in North Yorkshire and be active. “

For more information on using the wall or about the Mountain Bike projects please contact Jon Berry or Debbie Coulson on 01969 622244