Telford and Wrekin School Sports Partnership organised their annual Key Stage 2 Archery Day to create an inclusive event and promote the sport.
The event provided opportunities for young people who do not usually take part in other school sports or would value a boost in confidence in developing a new skill.
Wrekin College supported the event in January by offering use of their two adjacent sports halls.
Target archery was set up in one hall and clout archery in the other, and after three rounds each, the teams switched activities.
The top three team members all received medals and a high-five from Archery GB mascot Fletch, plus every school received an Archery Beginners' Handbook, an Archery in Schools support leaflet, and information on finding local clubs, for anyone keen to take the sport further.
The day was a great opportunity to speak with event organisers, school staff, and pupils, to help Archery GB further understand what soft archery resources would be useful in schools.
Gayle Pink, Head of Participation for Archery GB, said: "It was a fantastically organised event showcasing archery as a fun, engaging and inclusive sport, where everyone could take part and instantly see their achievements. Sharing details of this event as an example of good practice, will hopefully encourage other schools and School Sports Partnerships to organise similar days."
Sally Harris, from Telford and Wrekin School Sports Partnerships, said: "We have been offering archery events like this for quite a few years, and we advertise how good it is for those children who perhaps don't like ball games, and those who are happiest to work on their own, thrive on an individual challenge, have learning difficulties or are autistic. It suits these children perhaps better than team games, but allows all children to enjoy it together, at really popular, inclusive events like this one."
Richard Butler, from Short Wood Primary School, Telford, said: "Today we have brought along children who have never represented the school before, and never attended an inter-school event like this.
"When the children take part in archery in school sessions they all like it, the older ones especially, and we have even tried it with Reception age children. Start them as young as you can and you never know the potential they may have!"
Nikolai, one of the children who took part, said: "I liked getting the arrow really far away today in the hoops challenge. We sometimes do archery at our school in the family fun day at the end of the year, and school sports days.
"I would now like to try some bigger challenges in archery, maybe some longer distances, shooting at targets off the floor, with coaching to get better, and more practice."
Scott Stuart, from St Matthews C of E Primary School, Telford, said: "This event is bringing out their confidence. Its really good that it is something different to some of the traditional sports you might have in schools, and you can see how much they are having fun today."
Leanne Vaughan, from Millbrook Primary School, Telford, said: "The children have really thoroughly enjoyed it today. It's great bringing a range of children from the school to experience archery, most have never done it before.
"I think it's an opportunity to get those children to experience new sporting events. To start with they might be nervous with equipment they have not used before, but by the end of the session, they are loving it. Their technique has got better, their aim has got better, and it's just all-round enjoyment."
Another student, Kinga, said: "I really like getting the arrows in the hoops the most, and we are all having fun!"
For more information about soft archery in schools, click the button:
Start Archery Week, from 10-18 May 2025, is Archery GB's annual celebration of archery where clubs and activity centres open their doors for everyone to pick up a bow and have a go. Schools are encouraged to get involved through offering archery experiences to students or partnering with local clubs:
