September 2003 - September 2006

In April 2000, the Government published its sports strategy 'A Sporting Future for All'. One of the strategy's key actions was to establish in excess of 600 School Sports Co-ordinator (SSCo) Partnerships in communities of greatest need. In October 2002 the Government announced investment of £459 million in to physical education (PE) and school sport over the next three years. These proposals included the expansion of SSCo Partnerships to include 2,400 SSCos and 13,500 primary link teachers (PLTs) by 2006. The purpose of the programme was to increase sports opportunities for more young people through co-ordinated PE, school sport and out-of-school-hours learning activities linked with local community sports facilities and development programmes.

In 2003 the SSCo programme in Southend was established. The Partnership Development Manager was appointed to oversee the work of the programme. By September 2006 the partnership was a great success, recognised as one of the top 10 in the country. To ensure sustainability the management of the partnership transferred to Shoebury School where it continued to thrive.