Partnerships and Programmes

Saints Partnership

Cowley International College and St Helens RLFC are two of the most recognised establishments in St Helens and will come together to make one outstanding partnership; their shared objectives of pursuing excellence, serving the community and offering the best facilities for sport, education and career development are the ideal launch pad for their future together.

St Helens has a long standing tradition and love of Rugby League. Cowley has an innovative partnership with St Helens Rugby League Club (Saints) where the professional team train on the school site and support with events such as training, assemblies, mentoring and even supplying staff (such as Assistant Principal, Mr Bennett).  This is really aspirational for the students to have this close relationship with these elite athletes and access to these facilities.

The partnership allows the Saints Academy players to fulfil their training needs accordingly whilst continuing their education at Cowley’s Post-16 College. The partnership works in a reciprocal manner to support each other’s needs – educational initiatives and strategies will involve Saints personnel which in turn will increase the success and achievement of Cowley students.

Scholarship programme  

Students entering the Sixth Form are now able to apply for the Cowley Sport Scholarship programme. This is a unique opportunity for ambitious, elite sports people (from any sport except rugby) to work with St Helens RLFC to achieve their ultimate sporting goals. Successful applicants can receive many benefits from the scheme including –

  • Access to professional, experienced sports physiotherapists to aid recovery
  • Individual meetings with diet and nutritionist expert
  • Up-to-date elite sports science support including individual fitness analysis, guidance and monitoring
  • Programme of support with 1-to-1 mentoring to ensure correct work/train/life balance
  • Series of lectures from Saints’ coaches/trainers media teams on variety of topics

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a recognised and certified award that you achieve by completing a personal programme of activities in four sections  (or five if you’re going for Gold).

These sections are:

  • Volunteering – helping someone, your community or the environment
  • Physical – becoming fitter through sport, dance or fitness activities
  • Skills – developing existing talents or trying something new
  • Expedition – planning, training for and completing an adventurous journey
  • Residential (Gold only) – staying and working away from home as part of a team

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is very popular at Cowley and we receive on average more than 100 applications each year to join.  With activities as varied as climbing, canoeing, archery, kayaking, mountaineering, hockey, rugby, netball, dog walking, horse riding and recycling we can see why the Award is so popular!

How long will it take me?

It will usually take you at least 6 months to complete your Bronze programme. It will take you at least 6 months for Silver if you’ve already achieved your Bronze, or 12 months if you’ve jumped straight into Silver. For Gold, you’ll need to do your programme for at least 12 months if you’ve got your Silver Award, or 18 months if you’ve started at Gold level without doing Silver- even if you’ve done Bronze.

We’ve put the length of time in months – you need to show regular activity and commitment during this time of at least an hour a week. You can’t achieve an Award in a short burst of enthusiasm over one weekend!

Remember, all activities for a D of E programme MUST be completed by your 25th birthday.

Once you’ve done the minimum amount of time needed to complete your D of E programme, we’re sure that you’ll have had so much fun that you’ll want to keep on doing your activities!

Why do it?

Good question!  Because, from the first day to the last it’s a real adventure.  Every section gives you something different – that’s the fun of it!

You’ll enjoy loads of new experiences, discover talents you never thought you had, challenge yourself and meet loads of people just like you.  Plus you’ll do things you love and get a kick out of.  It’s a real buzz!

If you wish to be part of something that’s rewarding and exciting, then speak with Miss Marnell.

Kit list

View expedition kit list