The Oadby and Wigston School Sport Partnership (SSP) became involved in kite flying activities after learning of some pioneering work that had taken place in one of its primary schools. One of the school's parents, Steve Sutton, was a member of 'Midland Kite Fliers' and had run a very successful kite club for pupils at the school. The club had been very popular and had resulted in notable gains in pupil confidence and fitness. The SSP subsequently decided that kite flying would be a very effective way to address the needs of some of the key target groups in its application to the Big Lottery Fund, and in addition was an opportunity to introduce a new activity to pupils in the partnership.

The next step was to consult Steve Sutton from the Midland Kite Fliers with regards to MKF's capacity and ability to support the project. It was decided that MKF school coordinators would be able and prepared to support the initiation of kite clubs in each school in the partnership. The partnership was also successful in its application for a Big Lottery Fund grant to support the project and this was used to purchase a bank of kites for each family and support the coaches from the Midland Kite Fliers.

A training afternoon was then organised in the summer term to introduce kite flying to the partnership. Steve Sutton and Helen Handcock from MKF led the training session which involved staff from each school in the partnership making their own kites and then experiencing a lesson in basic flying technique. The session also included a review of the safety aspects of kite flying and a discussion of the benefits of kite flying from the MKF pilot studies. The Primary Link Teachers (PLT) and School Sport Coordinators (SSCo) then had an opportunity to sign up MKF coaches to support their own kite clubs. MKF representatives would either attend eight kite club sessions, leading for the first half and supporting the school staff for the subsequent sessions; or would carry out a promotional kite demonstration day with the whole school before supporting the first two club sessions.

The British Kite Flying Association, Flexifoil kite manufacturers and Highwayman kite retailers were approached by Steve Sutton of MKF and also agreed to support the project. The Partnership Development Manager (PDM), designated SSCo and Steve Sutton then negotiated to decide on the most suitable kites to buy for the kite family bags. The orders were then passed on to the kite retailers and Flexifoil. Steve received the kites and they were checked and tested by MKF and then bagged up and distributed by the partnership.

Before the kite clubs started in September the schools confirmed the identity of the member of staff who would be leading the kite club, often these were not the PE specialists and included science and design teachers! Steve Sutton, Helen Handcock and members of MKF then started to deliver the kite clubs in partnership schools.

So far the kite clubs have been very popular and depending on the school's needs have included a variety of formats including whole school kite days, staff meeting training and OSHL club sessions. The SSCos and PDM have visited and supported sessions in schools and a monitoring and evaluation exercise of both pupils and staff is currently being undertaken.

In addition, work with the manufacturers has developed resulting in the creation of a Flexifoil 'safe kite flying' certificate for participants and the production of a schools kite package. The certificate will be awarded to pupils and teachers who can show they know the kite safety rules, that they can assemble and fly a number of simple manoeuvres with a two line kite and that they can dismantle and stow the kite.

Planning has begun for a joint MKF and schools event involving a participation and competition element. A number of trophies are now available for schools and individuals including The Highwaymen Trophy for display flying and the MKF Craft Trophy for kite construction.

Just recently the project has been picked up and featured by the Leicester Mercury newspaper, The Oadby and Wigston Mail, Leicester Sound Radio station, Central News and BBC East Midlands News.

Although very early in its delivery the clubs seem to have really captured the imagination of both pupils and staff within the partnership. The different dimensions of kite flying, including single line, power kites and stunt flying has appealed to a wide variety of pupils. So far staff involved with the project have seen improvements in pupil self esteem, confidence and activity enjoyment.

The partnership is very proud to be part of this initiative and would like to thank everyone at MKF and in the schools for their support in making it happen.