Liverpool primary school gets pupils moving with innovative extra-curricular programmes powered by dance music

Middlefield Community Primary School, Speke, has reinvented its after-school club programme to promote healthy lifestyles and ensure more young people are participating in physical activity. 

In partnership with Liverpool School Sports Partnership (LSSP), the school has recently introduced two new clubs: ‘Disco Dodgeball’ and ‘Raving Fit Club’.  LSSP is celebrating its 25^th year of enhancing and developing sport and wellbeing initiatives for children and young people across the city.

Pupil‑led ideas shaping inclusive activities

Following feedback from pupils, LSSP’s coach, Hannah, developed the two clubs to ensure all pupils had the opportunity to enjoy sports-based activities. Hannah delivers curriculum PE at Middlefield three afternoons a week

Hannah designed Disco Dodgeball to steer pupils into competitive sport in a fun and inclusive way. It has seen high levels of participation with 30 Year 5 pupils taking part in the inaugural session. 

‘It feels like a party while we’re playing sport’

Testing their teamwork and resilience, pupils dodge to the beat of various DJ mixes and upbeat dance classics. 

Year 5 pupil, Andrew, said:

“I love Disco Dodgeball because it feels like a party while we’re playing sport! It’s one of my favourite after-school clubs, and I haven’t missed a session since it started.” 

Olivia in Year 6, added:

“Disco Dodgeball is really fun because we get to dance and exercise at the same time. It makes me feel happy and full of energy, and I love working as part of a team.”  

Building engagement through creative PE provision

Disco Dodgeball follows the success of Raving Fit Club. This is another new addition to Middlefield Community Primary School’s after-school programme. Hannah developed this activity to engage pupils in physical activity without being competitive. 

Raving Fit Club attracted attention with its fast-paced nature, dance music and neon lights. More than 40 pupils across Years 4, 5 and 6 attended when it was added to the programme for the first time.

Speaking on the introduction of the clubs, PE lead at Middlefield Community Primary School, Mrs Helen Crone, said:

“Hannah has created such trusting relationships with all our pupils and her knowledge of them has helped her think creatively to find new ways of attracting pupils to engage in after-school clubs. 

“We’re so grateful for Hannah’s fabulous ideas as we’re always looking for new ways to get children active.”

Hannah began working with Middlefield Community Primary School in September 2020 as an LSSP coach. Since this time, she has gone on to develop and introduce numerous different activities to keep pupils engaged and healthy.

Commenting on her ideas of Disco Dodgeball and Raving Fit Club, Hannah said:

“I want to create new ideas for afterschool clubs that no one has done before as it’s my aim for all children to try new things.

“By introducing these club, I have seen a massive increase in attendance which shows that Raving Fit and Disco Dodgeball has had an impact. I will continue to think of new ideas for afterschool clubs to encourage more and more children to be active.”

Joint CEO of Liverpool School Sports Partnership, Adella Dando, added:

“The introduction of the new clubs demonstrates how physical activity can be enjoyable, inclusive and impactful. By encouraging pupils to move, work together and develop resilience, Hannah is helping create happy, healthy and active children. 

“At LSSP, we’re always looking for innovative ways to ensure the young people of Liverpool lead active lifestyles and it is initiatives like this that make a difference everyone can feel.” 

Middlefield Community Primary School subscribes to LSSP’s Enhanced Membership Package, which was offered to schools at a significantly reduced rate this academic year due to the not-for-profit organisation receiving a £208,000 grant from the Steve Morgan Foundation in September 2025. 

To find out more about LSSP’s memberships visit www.lssp.co.uk or email enquiries@lssp.co.uk.