1. Who organises the Extra Curricular programme?
The programme is organised in conjunction with Active Schools, Duddingston PS and Parent Council. In previous years, Active Schools worked without Parent Council involvement but in 2021/22 changes to the funding model made a new approach necessary and our programme is now branded as the Duddingston Primary School Extra Curricular programme. We take into account activities the pupils would like to take part in and availability of coaches/hall space.
2. What is purpose of the programme?
To give pupils a taste of different activities and hopefully encouraging wider community engagement
3. Who are the coaches?
The coaches are a mix of those from Companies such as Gold & Gray, LiveItDance and those tertiary coaches on council payroll. We also hope to expand the programme with school and parent volunteers.
4. What is the difference between a cluster club and a Duddy club?
The Duddingston PS clubs are for Duddingston pupils and are provided in line with coach availability/pupil interest. The cluster clubs are provided by local clubs whose primary aim is to encourage new junior members and are available city-wide (with priority given for Portobello cluster schools). Whilst the cluster programme is booked and promoted with the same system it is the clubs who decide age groups etc.
5. Why are the clubs different prices? Why are cluster clubs free?
All clubs where we have coaches running the sessions on a voluntary basis we run for free. The cluster clubs are all run by volunteers from clubs. Any with a cost attached have to be funded from participants or funding streams. In winter 2021/22, the Parent Council surveyed families and found a strong preference for a model where families paid a fee for coaching if their child got a place in a club.
6. When is it possible to book? Is there a notification?
Booking information is normally circulated through the school through via parentmail. We try to give families at least one weeks notice of the date booking go live. We also try to update the ‘Duddingston Primary Parents’ facebook page with this information in advance of the go live date.
7. What time do bookings go live?
This is automated so it will be released just past midnight. We are hoping to bring on a new booking system in the near future – any changes to this will be communicated.
8. Why has there been there so little notice for booking in the past?
Over the last year, there has been some difficulty getting the new process into place. Last term we were waiting for confirmation that the school were able to process the income/expenditure side of the programme. Unfortunately confirmation of this came on the last day of term this time. We would normally hope to promote the programme well in advance of its release.
9. How do I book and pay?
All bookings for the programme can be found at www.joininedinburgh.org you can type in the code for the activity you want to book into the search box on this site and it will take you directly to the activity.
10. Why are places so limited?
The clubs are very popular and due to insurance we can only take 20 pupils for classes. For Parkour this is reduced to 12 (unless we get a volunteer to go through training to be an assistant – we could then increase this to 20). Gymnastics is limited to 14 – this is due to space/equipment and ensuring all participants can be supervised by the coach. The programme is also limited by the times and spaces that we can use within the school e.g. before school, during lunch and after school. We hope to expand the after-school programme which should create more clubs/ spaces.
11. What happens if I don’t get a place?
If you add your details to the waiting list your child will be prioritised for the following term.
12. If I get a place in term 1, does that mean I can get a place in term 2 and 3?
No – as the aim of the programme is to give participants ‘a taste’ of an activity, our aim is to give this opportunity to as many pupils as possible. We accept that further work is needed to promote the pathway available in the wider community should a pupil really enjoy the activity.
13. Can I pre-register for next term?
No – we will prioritise those on the waiting list ahead of clubs opening. Should a club prove to be very popular with a large waiting list we will explore how we can create more spaces (i.e. an additional club or more coaches)
14. I have an idea for a club – who can I contact?
Anyone with ideas for a club or interested in volunteering can contact [email protected]
If you’d like to get in touch with the Parent Council about the programme, or to discuss any ideas you have about how it can be improved, please contact us at [email protected]