Primary Schools at sportscotland National Centres Inverclyde and Cumbrae
We aim to provide Primary School pupils with an opportunity to experience a variety of sports in a safe and exciting environment and to introduce sports that may otherwise be missed in an average school career.
The programme
Sport is what Inverclyde does best. Our emphasis is on learning new skills, working together and within the 'rules'. Above all else sport is about fun.
Team and individual sports are grouped as skill sessions, broadly described as follows.
Invasion games - basketball, netball, handball, new image rugby, soccer skills, hockey, unihoc, ultimate frisbee.
Central net and wall games - volleyball, tennis, table tennis, badminton.
Target games - golf, archery, curling and ten-pin bowling.
Striking and fielding games - cricket, baseball.
In addition many schools opt for water sports from late March through to October. Other external visits can be arranged in the local area if requested.
Water sports
These are delivered at the National Centre Cumbrae, on the Isle of Cumbrae across the Firth of Clyde from Largs. The activity selected will be appropriate to the conditions on the day and will be selected from: dinghy sailing, canoeing, powerboat/cruising, windsurfing.
All staff hold RYA/SCA certification and operate to the highest standards (Adventure Activities licence). Equipment in the form of lifejackets and wet-suits are provided in appropriate sizes.
Evening activities
In the evening there are various activities, such as games and quizzes related to the centre and facilities, and avisit to centre shop. These are led by the centre staff and teachers may opt to supervise a movie cinema style or have a mini disco until milk and cookies before bed time.
The coaches
Coaches of each sport group will hold current and valid qualifications with the National Governing Bodies.
Some coaches may be part-time and these will be coordinated and supervised by permanent staff from the centres.
Clothing and equipment
Please refer to the recommended list. The children may want to bring items not on the list but remember THEY have to carry their bags up flights of stairs.
We would prefer that they do not bring football colours or clothing advertising alcohol. Pupils definitely do not need: football boots, rackets, clubs, balls, 'designer gear', PlayStations, electronic equipment, mobile phones or other 'gizmos'.
Please keep valuables to a minimum, jewellery can be dangerous, mobile phones are too easy to lose and signal sometimes poor or non-existent. Disposable cameras are ideal rather than the family digital.
Cost
Cost is inclusive - full board, local transport, water sports, cycling, swimming, skating, sports coaching and evening programme.
During coaching sessions the coaches are in control, however teachers are welcome to get involved and required to be easily contactable in the event of poor behaviour and/or illness.
On visits out with the centre, teachers/schools staff are in control of their group and where we have seasonal staff available they will be assigned to accompany the group.
What is National Centre Inverclyde like?
Our centre is on a self-contained site on the outskirts of Largs on the west coast of Scotland. At Inverclyde you will find a residential building, a separate sports hall building and outdoor facilities. Traffic is limited to customers and suppliers of the National Centre Inverclyde. Vehicles travel within a 20 mph speed limit and speed bumps are in place to enforce this.
Facilities
Large Hall, Small Hall, Eleven-a-side football, Seven-a-side football, Five-a-side football, Golf Practice Facility, Tennis Courts, Squash Courts, Fitness Suite, Gymnastics Hall, Orienteering.
See our facilities page for more details.
Lounges
The Arran Lounge is a comfortable area with a hot drinks machine for adults to relax in and watch TV etc. Pupils socialise in the Brisbane Lounge and may use the Hampden Games Room to play pool or board games.
Accommodation
Inverclyde has fifty-five rooms with from one to seven beds. Larger rooms have bunk beds and non-allergic duvets and pillows are provided. Adequate storage is available for clothing and all rooms have en suite toilet and shower facilities. Teachers/carers are roomed on each corridor with separate facilities from the pupils.
Each room will be allocated a key card, this allows them access to the bedroom wing and then to their own room. Teachers have a master key for those on their corridor and can assist should children lock themselves out for example. Keys are deposited at Reception on leaving the residential building and will be available at lunch and from 5.30 pm. Children are discouraged from going to their rooms during short break times.
Full board
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in our Dining Room. The food is selected to reflect the choices children prefer but with healthy eating in mind. Breakfast includes cereals, toast etc. as well as full cooked breakfast. In addition to hot choices at lunch there is an extensive self serve salad bar with fruit and yoghurts for dessert. A substantial three-course meal is served in the evening to refuel pupils for the next day’s activities. All meals include vegetarian options and any other special dietary requirements can be catered for with advance notice.
Sugar-free juice is available for pupils to fill their water bottles from each morning and lunchtime and water fountains are also available in the sports hall building.
The food
Catering at the centre is provided by Eurest.
Eurest at Inverclyde hold the healthyliving award, which rewards catering establishments for dishing up healthier food and finding ways of helping their customers make better food choices.
The Eat Safe award is also held here, it recognises food hygiene and food safety management standards beyond those required by law and provides consumers with a recognisable 'sign' of excellence in standards of food hygiene.
Breakfast (8 am)
Lunch (1 pm)
Dinner (6.15 pm)
Special dietary requirements can be catered for, please let us know of any specific concerns.
Vending machines
A variety of these are located in the corridor to the games room and in the sports hall foyer, selling energy drinks, soft drinks, crisps and chocolate.
What is covered in a course?
The fee for the course covers full board, all facilities, equipment and coaching, external visits e.g. to water sports, cycling, swimming, skating etc. (as requested in the programme), local transport, evening programme, free places for adult accompanying the group.
On arrival in Largs look out for the signs to sportscotland National Centre Inverclyde from the seafront. The most common route is Brisbane Glen Road then right along Laverock Drive then left into our drive.
The Centre is nestled amongst the trees below the crags known as the Quad Rocks.
Parking available behind the sports hall and buses may drop off beside the Main House in the bus turning circle.
Clothing and equipment checklist
- Training shoes for indoor sports
- Old trainers for orienteering and water sports
- Socks & underwear
- Warm jogging trousers (not denims)
- Casual clothes for evening wear
- T-shirts
- 2 sweatshirts
- Warm woolen pullover/fleece
- Woolen hat, gloves, sun hat
- Shorts/leggings
- Pyjamas/nighties
- Sun glasses (if weather suggests)
- Sun cream (if weather suggests)
- Cameras
- Wind/water-proof jacket
- Day sack
- Water bottle - VERY IMPORTANT
- Toiletries, towel (for water sports and swimming)
- Swimsuit
- Coins for spending money
Do NOT bring: GameBoys, MP3 players, iPods, mobile phones, digital cameras, valuable items, lots of money, jewellery.
Inverclyde and Cumbrae will organise and provide sports specific equipment related to the activities.
sportscotland National Centre Inverclyde
Burnside Road
Largs KA30 8RW
Reception telephone: 01475 674666
Lo-call number: 0845 126 0664
Fax: 01475 674720
Margarete Paschke (Sport & Education Manager)
Direct telephone: 01475 687802
Email: margarete.paschke@sportscotland.org.uk
Non-residential school visits
Guidelines for non-residential school visits
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