Oaklands Special School, Ferry Road, Edinburgh, were crowned Scottish School of the Year 2023 at this year’s Scottish Sports Awards hosted by sportscotland and Team Scotland.
In an event that celebrated the best of Scottish sport the award recognised Oaklands commitment to providing sport to every child.
Oaklands is a school for pupils with complex medical and care needs, as well as additional educational support needs. Sport and sporting activities are very much part of their school day and the school’s attitude is that no matter your disability you should be able to access sport.
Due to the pupils’ needs this can be a challenge, especially activities out of school. Working in partnership with Active Schools, local sports providers and the PE department the school try to offer all pupils the opportunity to participate in sport during the school day
The school run karate clubs, swimming and hydrotherapy, and have access to multiple adapted bikes for pupils to go cycling and get outside. Every pupil has access to rebound therapy which has proved really successful for all pupils, but especially those who need oxygen machines and find accessing sport difficult. Oaklands has seen a huge impact on their mental health as well as their physical health during these sessions.
Oaklands School also work in partnership with Blaze Basketball and Scottish Rugby to offer sessions to pupils, again helping them to access sport that their peers and siblings take for granted.
The school are passionate about sport and physical activity and offer pupils a ‘Sports Week’ instead of a sports day, allowing everyone the opportunity to participate at their own pace and level. Parents and families are invited in to share in their child’s sports experiences and achievements.
Rebecca Vaughan, Head Teacher, said: “Oaklands is an amazing place, with many of the pupils who attend having life-limiting conditions, so when you talk about sport, it looks somewhat different at Oaklands. But sport for our children and young people and for us, means team.
“Sport gives our children and young people the opportunity to feel the excitement of being part of a team, to feel the rush of being on a wheelchair bike or feel the joy of bouncing in a rebound therapy trampoline or enjoying the movement that the hydro pool gives them.
“And it’s so important because their physical disabilities mean that they don’t have the natural movement that we have, and sport gives them all of those things.”
Chair of sportscotland, Mel Young, said: “A huge congratulations to Oaklands School and all of the winners at this year’s Scottish Sport Awards. The calibre of talent we have seen at this year’s awards ceremony is once again testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone across the Scottish sporting system.
“Every year the Scottish Sports Awards provide us with a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the power of sport and recognise schools like Oaklands, who commit so much time to ensuring that every child can feel the benefits of sport and physical activity. Inclusion is built into everything they do, and the benefits can be felt by pupils, their families and the whole school community
Ian Reid, Chair of Commonwealth Games Scotland, added:
“The place where many children first access sport, schools, sit right at the heart of Scottish sport, hugely benefiting their pupils in terms of health and well-being as well as providing a path into recreational and competitive sport. The work that Oaklands School does to enhance the lives of their pupils through sport and activity is inspirational and recognition at the Scottish Sports Awards is truly deserved.”
Scottish Sport Award winners, 2023:
Female Athlete of the Year – Katie Archibald (cycling); Male Athlete of the Year – Josh Kerr (athletics); Para Athlete of the Year – Stephen Clegg (swimming); Young Athlete of the Year – Matthew Ward (swimming); Team of the Year – Scotland Rugby Sevens, Trinbago.; Coach of the Year – Steve Doig (athletics); Scottish Governing Body Award (Scottish cycling); Club Sport Award – Active Life Club; School Sport Award – Oaklands School; Community Hero Award – Billy Roberton; Sustainability in Scottish Sport Award – Aberfeldy Middle Distance Triathlon; Hall of Fame – Julie Fleeting MBE (football) and Ronald Ross MBE (shinty),
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