Our Approach

Greenhouse Sports coaches are embedded full-time in secondary schools and sixth form colleges, in special educational needs (SEN) schools and in our performance sports clubs, where they deliver programmes before, during and after school, as well as at the weekend and during the holidays.

Our coaches run over 50 open and inclusive programmes within schools, offering opportunities for pupils of all levels to take part. They  work closely with school staff to identify pupils who could particularly benefit from participation because of behavioural difficulties at school, poor attendance or low confidence and self-esteem.

To reach those who need us most, we focus our resources on young people who are disengaged, vulnerable or facing disadvantage. We only work in schools where at least two-thirds (67%) of pupils live in areas of high deprivation, * or which are specifically for young people with special educational needs.

We know good sport programmes and coaching can be a powerful tool for development, giving young people the chance to experience structure, goal-setting, teamwork, a sense of achievement and mutual respect.

Research demonstrates that participation in sport:

• promotes social integration
• reduces the risk of obesity and many chronic physical conditions
• combats mental health problems such as depression and anxiety and improves self-esteem
• improves attentiveness in the classroom

The positive effects of sport do not develop automatically. Our programmes prioritise healthy development and are carefully designed and delivered by our inspirational coaches to be truly inclusive.

With 15 years of experience delivering sport for development programmes, we have learned how to use sport to engage, motivate and inspire young people.

A Greenhouse Sports coach is not only technically skilled and highly qualified – our coaches must also be role models and mentors. Our programmes do not just focus on excellent and intensive sports coaching, but are also designed to develop the Social, Thinking, Emotional and Physical (STEP) skills of participants.

The core components of all Greenhouse Sports programmes are therefore:

• high quality, intensive sport coaching
• mentoring
• competitive opportunities
• learning and development opportunities 

Through this approach, Greenhouse Sports programmes provide participants with the best possible opportunities to develop their capabilities through sport.

Our programmes aim to help young people reach their full potential. This also applies to the sport they play. We want our participants to benefit from their commitment, hard work and dedication by having opportunities to take training and playing to whatever level they choose.

Our programmes enter individuals and teams into competitions and tournaments at intra-school, borough, regional and county, and national level. The London Greenhouse Pioneers and Greenhouse Sports Table Tennis Club offer basketball and table-tennis participants the opportunity to train in a performance-focused environment, outside of their school programmes. These clubs bring young people from schools across London together as teammates, helping build wider friendship groups and communities across the capital. Intra-school competition also helps break down barriers between local schools and we provide these opportunities as early as Year 7.

Competition for SEN students
Our programmes in SEN schools offer participants with needs of varying levels of complexity the chance to participate in fun, stimulating sport and physical activity. Our programmes provide pupils at these schools with truly inclusive competitive opportunities that are adapted to their specific needs.