The past Eighteen months have been some of the toughest for the education sector but also some of the most rewarding. Our relationship with Progressive Sports can be seen through both of these lenses. We approached the company in the first national lockdown to provide parents and carers of front line workers with an offer over the Easter weekend as we were concerned in April 2020 that NHS staff needed childcare. We also wanted something physical, fun and engaging, so this is where our partnership with Progressive Sports began. They put in place an Easter offer, then due to the success they followed this up in May half/term with another offer and worked exceptionally well with schools and Trusts, with positive feedback from Heads and CEOs.
They have since engaged with us in providing a sports offer for our most disadvantaged pupils in the Summer of 2020, again working with is locally on a high quality offer. They continue to work with us now and we will be working with them as a provider for the Holidays and Food programme, where they have engaged with us again to provide a sports offer to children and young people. They have been responsive, worked carefully within our Covid guidance and at all times have put our Children and Young People first. The schools they have been involved in would also be their greatest advocates. As a Council we will continue to work with them moving forwards.