Earlier this year the school secured partial funding, through Durham Sport, to employ a Multi Sports Coach to enhance the already substantial sporting provision and promote physical activity throughout the school.

On 1 May Mr Andy Woodward was employed, on a 2 year contract, as our full time Multi Sports Coach.  He came to us having worked as a part time sports development officer, and casual sports coach in Darlington, working across many ages and social backgrounds.  Previous to that he spent 22 years in the Royal Air Force as a Personnel Administrator. 

Mr Woodward has an extensive background in sports coaching having started coaching a group of sprinters at Darlington Harriers and Athletics Club in 1991.  Since then he has been involved in coaching across a variety of sports and holds qualifications in Athletics, Rugby Union, Rugby League, Netball, Volleyball, Cricket and Tennis as well as more generic qualifications in Speed, Agility and Quickness and Fundamental movement skills.

A graduate of York St John University with a BA (Hons) in Sport Studies and Physical Education he has coached at regional level on North East Rugby League Performance Camps is the assistant coach at the Durham County Netball Satellite Academy.  Outside of work he coaches at Darlington Harriers Athletic club where he has worked with a group of young sprinters aged from 11 upto late teens, and is currently working with the clubs throwers.

What Does he Do?

Mr Woodward has an extensive remit working across the whole school with his term time split between PE delivery, lunchtime and after school clubs and working in the community after school hours. 

Currently during the term Mr Woodward provides a variety of lunchtime and after school activities including multi sport for younger children and fitness and more sport specific sessions for senior house.  Girls have also participated in Fencing, Trampoline and Football courses at Maiden Castle all of which are progressive and aimed at improving skills and feeding them into external clubs if they wish to.