Staff enjoy football match with other schools to promote well-being and mental health awareness

Staff from across Portsmouth schools within the Thinking Schools Academy Trust have come together to promote well-being and camaraderie through the power of football, while raising awareness for a mental health charity.

Two teachers, one from Penbridge School and the other from New Horizons Primary School, took the initiative to organise a friendly staff football match to bring people together for fun, laughter and a decent workout.

But what started as a simple idea between two school then led to an opportunity for staff at The Portsmouth Academy, who formed a team and offered their football pitch for the game to take place in the evening.

Mr Arnell, P.E. Lead at Penbridge School, said: “Mr Hayden from New Horizons and I decided we should start some staff football games to increase well-being and have a laugh after school for the adults.

“We then decided to challenge the secondary staff from TPA who were very keen to play. I liaised with their P.E. lead at the school and managed to secure the booking and a date, which made our idea become a reality.

“I suggested the game should be played in honour of MIND mental health charity, which I have links to having sadly lost a couple of friends due to mental health. Each school has had a pot which they collected; however, it wasn’t just about raising money but raising awareness for looking after your mental health.

“The match itself was great fun played with great spirits and competition. Thank you to the staff at TPA for playing, but also inviting some of their pupils for refereeing.”

All schools from across Portsmouth, including staff from Meon Way Federation, will now be looking to compete in a friendly competition again next term.

Earlier this week, staff from New Horizons and Penbridge formed one team, to play against The Portsmouth Academy staff team who won.