Ulster Hockey

Ulster Hockey are delighted to announce they we will be part of the new RAISE Active Schools Programme which was announced by the Department of Education this morning.

The Department of Education is bringing forward the new Cross Cutting Initiative, the RAISE Active Schools Programme, to enhance pupil engagement, attendance and wellbeing across RAISE localities.

Developed as a collaborative, multi-sport partnership between the Irish FA Foundation, Ulster Rugby, Ulster GAA and Ulster Hockey, this initiative aligns with the RAISE Programme’s strategic objectives of raising achievement and raising aspirations through a whole‑community, place‑based approach.

The RAISE Active Schools Programme will deliver a curriculum-aligned, multi-sport Physical Education model across 96 primary schools, and is expected to engage 9,600 pupils and provide 96,000 participation opportunities.

Each participating primary school will participate in a structured 10-week block with all sessions delivered in addition to existing Physical Education provision.

The RAISE Active Schools Programme places a strong emphasis on building capacity within schools and ensuring sustainability beyond the life of the initiative. A framework aligned to the Northern Ireland Curriculum underpins delivery, focusing on movement skills, teamwork, creativity and leadership. The programme embeds teacher professional learning through weekly “micro-CPD,” co-delivery opportunities and resource packs, supporting long-term improvements in Physical Education provision and strengthening learning behaviours aligned to improved educational outcomes.

In a statement, Ulster Hockey CEO Marc Scott said:

“Ulster Hockey is delighted to be included in the delivery of the Department of Education’s RAISE Active Schools Programme.

This initiative will provide opportunities to school children to not only receive an increased level of physical activity with the positive health benefits this provides but also provide an opportunity for them to participate in sports which they may not normally have the opportunity to do so.

Ulster Hockey is proud to partner with our colleagues at the IFA, Ulster GAA and Ulster Rugby in delivering this essential and exciting initiative and impacting positively on the lives of our future generations.”

For more information about the RAISE Active Schools Programme and to register your schools interest, visit the Department of Education website via the link below, or email Amanda.Morton@UlsterHockey.com:

https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/publications/raise-active-schools-programme-call-expressions-interest

Ulster Hockey to be part of newly announced RAISE Active Schools Programme

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