Edstart Sports Coaching

PE provision and children's clubs from Bolton

Edstart Sports Coaching is a UK-based provider working with primary schools on physical education, school sport and physical activity. Its offer combines curriculum support for teachers with clubs for children outside the school day, and it operates through a franchise network across several English regions.

Curriculum packages for primary schools

The company's PE Curriculum packages are presented as a way for schools to regain control of their teaching schedule while delivering structured PE lessons. The material frames the aim as ensuring children progress through the PE curriculum, with the provider positioning itself as a specialist PE partner for schools.

Clubs before, during and after the school day

Beyond curriculum delivery, Edstart runs breakfast clubs, after-school clubs and holiday camps. The holiday provision is described as inclusive, and the site presents it around parental peace of mind, with children in what it calls safe and caring hands. Clubs are booked through the company's booking system.

PE mentoring for teachers

A separate service, PE Mentoring, is aimed at building teacher confidence through supportive mentoring rather than replacing school staff. It sits alongside the curriculum packages and the club programme as a third strand of the school-facing offer.

JagTag and the Jacksonville Jaguars partnership

Edstart describes itself as the UK's exclusive provider of JagTag, a simplified version of the game, and cites a partnership with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The site quotes the Jaguars' Andy Scott on the delivery, school relationships and community work behind the collaboration.

Accreditation and staff checks

The company states it holds Gold standard accreditation from the Children's Activities Association and is an approved children's activity provider. According to its own account, the CAA checks that staff are DBS checked, that safeguarding and first aid training are in place, and that coaches meet the minimum qualifications required for the subject they teach. The site also quotes Dr Amanda Gummer of Fundamentally Children on the speed with which the gold accreditation was secured.

Franchise model and coverage

Edstart operates as a franchise. Its listed areas span Cheshire (Warrington), Greater Manchester (Bolton, Bury, Cadishead, Irlam, North Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, South Manchester, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan and Wythenshawe), Lancashire (Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle, Preston Central, Ribble Valley and Rossendale), Merseyside (Liverpool and St Helens) and Yorkshire (Calderdale, Kirklees, South Bradford and Wakefield). The site states that the current franchise agreement runs for a five-year term, that the initial fee is not required when continuing after that term, and that multiple areas can be purchased, though starting with one is recommended. Initial training covers safer recruitment, and prospective franchisees are offered introductions to existing franchise managers, specialist coaches and staff. An Edstart International strand presents an adaptable business model intended to suit the services needed in each country.

What schools and parents report

The site reproduces comments from headteachers and parents in Bolton, Rochdale and Stockport, describing after-school multi-sports sessions, lunchtime activities and the sporting interest generated among pupils and staff. These are individual testimonials rather than an independent assessment.