For Parents
Everything you need to know as a parent of a Greenhouse young person.
Welcome to Greenhouse Sports
Helping your child grow in confidence, wellbeing, and opportunity through the power of sport.
At Greenhouse Sports, we believe every child deserves a fair chance to reach their potential. But, we also know that for many young people living in areas of deprivation or facing challenging situations, there are a lot of barriers to this. Our mission is to change that.
What Greenhouse Sports does
Greenhouse Sports places full‑time, professionally trained Coach‑Mentors in schools. They deliver structured sports sessions alongside consistent mentoring that helps young people develop the skills and confidence they need at school, at home, and in life.
Our programmes reach thousands of young people every year, especially those who are living in areas of deprivation or facing challenging circumstances. Our programmes are open to all, but we also work alongside pastoral teams within schools to provide tailored support and access to young people who may benefit the most.
What your child will experience
If there is a Greenhouse Sports programme in your school, your child is welcome to join! If they do, they will have access to:
High-Quality Sports Coaching
Our coaches are qualified, skilled, and dedicated. They deliver regular sessions at each school. Different sessions target different young people, the coach will share what sessions they can attend. This information is also available on the parent Greenhouse connect app.
A Positive, Trusted Role Model
Our Coach‑Mentors are more than coaches—they are consistent adults who support your child’s wellbeing, school engagement, motivation, and development. Many children say their coach helps them improve both on and off the court or pitch. Our coach-mentors are there for your child year-round.
Structure, Routine & Support
Sessions run every day in participating schools, giving children a reliable, safe, and constructive space to spend their time. They also run during the school holidays, ensuring consistency throughout the year.
A Safe, Welcoming Community
Whether in school or at our flagship Greenhouse Centre in Westminster, your child will find a supportive environment designed to help them learn, grow, build friendships, and feel a sense of belonging.
How the programme helps your child
Greenhouse Sports uses sport as a tool to build crucial life skills—because success in school and beyond is about more than academic grades.
Through our evidence‑based approach, your child will develop these skills through our STEP framework:
Social: Communication, relationship building and teamwork
Thinking: Self-reflection and decision making
Emotional: Confidence and self-discipline
Physical: Problem solving, creativity, and a healthy love of physical activity
These improvements translate directly into better school attendance, stronger engagement in learning, and improved mental and physical wellbeing.
Why it matters
For many young people, especially those facing disadvantage, consistent support and positive routines make a significant difference. Greenhouse Sports helps children:
– build self-belief
– reduce stress
– raise their aspirations
– find direction and motivation
– stay engaged in education
– Achieve their potential.
Our long‑term commitment means your child is supported not just for weeks—but for years.
A team that stands with your child
We often talk about being a “Team for Life.” This phrase came from our young people themselves and reflects how Greenhouse Sports becomes a community that truly supports each child’s journey. Coaches, schools, volunteers, parents, and participants—all united to help young people thrive.
What this means for you as a parent
Choosing Greenhouse Sports for your child means choosing:
- a safe, nurturing environment
- a trusted adult invested in your child’s success
- free, high-quality sports and mentoring
- proven impact backed by research and years of experience
You’ll see your child become more confident, more engaged, and more motivated—both in sport and in life.
If you have any concerns
Greenhouse Sports is committed to safeguarding children in sport and physical activity and we take our young people’s welfare very seriously.
We work hard to ensure that best practices are followed across the organization. We have a clear “Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy” and “Safeguarding Code of Conduct,” which outline guidelines for good practices and our code of conduct, and provide guidance on abuse, photography, communication, etc.
This policy extends to all our partner organisations and we work with them to ensure a consistent child protection policy operates across all programmes.
You can download and view our policy below and you can also follow the link to the Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU).
Want to know more?
The coach-mentor embedded in your child’s school can provide them with information, including a registration form, or you can contact us.
If you’re interested in attending the Greenhouse Centre, please head to the ‘What we offer’ section of the Greenhouse Centre tab!
If your child is already registered for a programme, please download the Greenhouse Connect Parent App to access up-to-date information on your child’s programme.