The TOP programme works to assist Scotland’s primary schools and community organisations to support children in increasing their physical activity and skill levels and to encourage their involvement in sport.
The TOP programme consists of:
- TOP Play, introducing 4 – 9 year olds to the essential core skills such as throwing and catching, running and jumping
- TOP Sport, helping to develop the skills of 7 – 12 year olds in specific sports
The aims of the programme are to:
- Support Scotland’s primary schools and community organisations in their efforts to increase children’s physical activity and skill levels
- Encourage children’s involvement in sport and support teachers in further developing physical education programmes
The three key components of the programmes are training, resource cards and equipment. These are designed to provide easy to understand and accessibly support, giving children a high quality, fun introduction to PE and sport.
Initially the programme is delivered by teachers in schools in support of the PE curriculum. The curriculum’s first approach is to ensure that all young people are able to benefit from the programme.
Building on this and working in partnership with schools, governing bodies of sport, community groups and other local sporting organisations, local authorities will then plan and deliver community-based activities.
With good local planning and management, delivery of TOP Play and TOP Sport will offer the following:
- quality training for primary school teachers and everyone involved in providing physical activity and sport opportunities for young people
- quality resource cards and support materials that offer easy to use, linked, progressive and appropriate activity for young people
- quality sports equipment designed and developed in conjunction with PE experts and National Governing Bodies
- opportunities for enhanced curriculum planning and for increasing the confidence of non-specialist teachers responsible for delivering PE
- opportunities for high quality, action-based sports development work that will broaden the base of participation and provide a catalyst for sports specific planning, volunteer recruitment and support.
This is an application-based scheme providing financial assistance to local authorities and primary schools.
Awards cover up to a maximum of 100% of the cost of equipment bags and resource cards, based on a maximum of two equipment bags and three sets of supporting resource cards. Awards also cover training costs.
