11/06/2026
Today we're shining a spotlight on Sophie McCarthy, School Games Organiser at Macmillan Academy.
When a group of Year 10 girls became increasingly disengaged from PE, Sophie took a different approach. Rather than focusing on the symptoms, she worked with staff and students to better understand the reasons behind their disengagement.
The girls highlighted a number of barriers, including limited choice, low confidence, activities that didn't reflect their interests and environments where they didn't always feel comfortable participating.
They also shared what would encourage them to be more active:
✔ More variety
✔ Opportunities to try new activities
✔ Greater choice and ownership
✔ Supportive, inclusive environments
✔ Activities they could enjoy with their peers
Using this insight, Sophie worked alongside the girls and school staff to co-design a 10-session programme featuring activities such as badminton, pickleball, table tennis and UV-based sessions.
The approach placed young people's experiences and preferences at the centre of the programme, giving them a genuine opportunity to influence the offer.
Early signs are already showing positive changes, including improved attendance, greater engagement in PE, increased confidence and a stronger willingness to participate.
School Games Organisers play an important role in helping schools create positive experiences for young people through sport and physical activity. This project demonstrates how insight, pupil voice and co-design can be used to better understand barriers, shape provision and create more engaging opportunities for those who may otherwise choose not to take part.
