Leeds Rhinos Foundation joins forces with Leeds Well Schools

Leeds Rhinos Foundation is delighted to announce a significant partnership which will see Leeds Well Schools now officially part of the charity, which will allow the two to work together to enhance physical activity, sports and education in the city of Leeds.

The Leeds Well Schools is a city wide offer for schools, but with a local approach.  It puts health and wellbeing at the heart of schools, education into physical activity and school sports programmes and gives children the opportunity to participate in competition events and festivals.

The news was revealed at the Leeds Well Schools Primary PE Subject Leader Network, which was held at AMT Headingley with 140 schools and national partners in attendance.

This collaboration fulfils one of Leeds Rhinos Foundation’s key objectives to aim for every child of school age to have experienced a positive interaction with the charity and brings strategic expertise to expand Leeds Rhinos Foundation’s current school initiatives.

Leeds Well Schools charitable status will allow them to work with Leeds Rhinos Foundation to apply for larger grants and secure national funding.  Additionally, it will increase opportunities for professional development opportunities.

Many of the initiatives tied to this partnership align with Leeds Rhinos Foundation's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategy, aiming to support vulnerable young people across Leeds.

Having worked in partnership before the merger, there were many significant achievements thanks to the combined efforts of the charities such as the Dance Spectacular which involved hundreds of school children performing a choregraphed routine at AMT Headingley Stadium.

As part of the launch, 51 schools across Leeds are participated in the ‘Connect Challenge’, where they were tasked with completing activities related to the number 7, in tribute to Rob Burrow. It is especially meaningful that the challenge began on Rob’s 42nd birthday. The challenge will conclude with the final schools attending the conference, marking the official opening of the event.

Gareth Cook, Head of Community and Engagement here at the Foundation, commented: “Leeds Well Schools will provide a wealth of experience and expertise to Leeds Rhinos Foundation and enhance our schools offer within the city. Our values and ethos to inspire young people and support teachers goes hand in hand and we cannot wait to explore further opportunities. We have worked alongside Pete and Jill for nearly 10 years and its wonderful to officially welcome them into the Foundation family.”

Pete McQuillan Strong, Leeds Well Schools Chair said: “I am excited about, what more, we can now do as we are part of the highly respected Leeds Rhinos Foundation. How we will move forward as a partnership of schools who aim to give as many children as possible a positive experience of physical Activity, PE and sport, that can change lives in our great City.”

Jill Wilkinson, Leeds Well School Partnership Director added: “We know children who are physically active on a regular basis have better mental, physical and social wellbeing and do better in school and by working as part of the foundation, we will be able to provide further opportunities for schools and their children in Leeds to significantly increase children’s physical activity levels and involvement in sport, creating active and well schools across the city.”

To find out more about Leeds Well Schools, please CLICK HERE.