Sports and Outdoor Education

The Sports & Outdoor Education Unit is part of the Children & Families Department within the Schools & Community Services division and has a major input to Sports/Outdoor Education/Physical Education for young people via Curricular, Extra Curricular and Community Learning and Development.

The Unit is the largest service deliverer in those areas and also has its strongest links in direct service delivery and development of City-wide strategy with Edinburgh Leisure and Culture and Sport.

The work of the Unit, in more detail, includes the following:

Physical Education for all pupils (3-18 years), e.g. PE Curriculum Review.
Curricular and general advice in PE, Sport and Outdoor Education to head teachers, elected officials, teachers, parents, members of the public, community groups and volunteers.
Preparation of policies and strategic plans for PE and Sport & Outdoor Education. Partnership involvement citywide in preparation of strategic plans in Health, Sport & Outdoor Education.
Continuous Professional Development and Coach Education courses for teachers and volunteers.
Active School Co-ordinator programmes in all Primary, Secondary and Special Needs Schools.
Sport-specific Development in Golf, Football, Tennis, Rugby, Cricket and Athletics (linked to National Governing Bodies of Sport Development plans).
Duke of Edinburgh's Award.
Holiday Programmes
Outdoor Residential Centres at Benmore and Lagganlia.
Outdoor Education Provision locally, e.g. Outdoor Education instructors and CAPRO.
Health & Safety - school, community and social work excursions monitoring and spot checks (this includes satisfying the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority (AALA) arrangements).
Programmes planning for special events, physical education facility programmes, swimming programmes, competitions and festivals.
Advice on sports and PE facility development

Contacts

Brian Harris, Sports and Outdoor Education Unit Manager

Brian qualified as a Physical Education teacher in 1971 having formally worked in the business world in Insurance and Sales. He taught at Craigroyston High School where he was promoted and then moved to the Advisory Service Division as Assistant Physical Education Adviser. In 1986 a new Sports Unit was formed and he was made Principal Officer with responsibility for Sports, Outdoor Education and Physical Education.

He has a wide range of experience in the fields of Physical Education, Sports and Outdoor Education and has worked within Lothian Region and the City of Edinburgh Education Departments for 35 years. He took over his present post of Sports and Outdoor Education Unit Manager prior to reorganisation in November 2004 of the Children and Families Department.

Brian is currently based in the Sports & Outdoor Education Unit, New Parliament House, Building 1 Room 5, 5 - 7 Regent Road, Edinburgh EH7 5BL
Telephone 0131 550 6838
Fax 0131 556 4254
E-mail: Brian.Harris@edinburgh.gov.uk

Robin Yellowlees, Principal Officer

Robin has played a leading role in the setting up, design and organisation of projects such as the GO4IT & Play4it holiday programmes, Adventure Edinburgh and Sporting Chance, all of which are part of his current remit. In addition to these programmes he also holds responsibility for the team of Sports Development Officers (sports include football, rugby and cycling), the Outdoor Education Development Officer and the Sports Academy. His role also encompasses the strategic direction of the new Sports and Outdoor Education Unit.

Robin and the majority of his team are currently based at New Parliament House, 5/7 Regent Road, Edinburgh EH7 5BL
Tel: 0131 550 6822
Fax 0131 556 4254
E-mail: robin.yellowlees@edinburgh.gov.uk

John Heywood, Principal Officer

John is responsible for overseeing the delivery of the Active Schools programme in Edinburgh's special, primary and secondary schools. His remit also includes responsibility for the Continuing Professional Development programme for PE and sports staff; managing the primary school specialist swimming programme, and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Unit.

John is based at New Parliament House, Building 1, Room 4, 5-7 Regent Road, Edinburgh, EH7 5BL.
Tel: 0131 550 6823
Fax: 0131 556 4254
E-mail: john.heywood.2@edinburgh.gov.uk