Meet the Team - Josh Holmes

• Company Role: PE Educator / Community Activator

What is something Primary School headteachers and PE co-ordinators have to deal with that you want to fix?

I think from what I’ve seen personally in a variety of different schools across a range of different backgrounds is that in especially in primary education, PE gets overlooked or even not paid enough attention too. I know that a lot of school staff have a plethora of responsibilities and challenges based on the teaching around normal set of subjects like Maths, English, Science and general learning and this can affect children’s development in Physical Education. This is why to fix this issue I believe it’s important to create and strengthen positive relationships with the staff and school which can allow us to work together and provide a fun, beneficial learning environment. With this it can allow the children to learn and practice something new either techniques or attributes, acquire knowledge, develop and master skills and pick up on life skills that can help them throughout life.

What do you do at PEAK?

At PEAK I am a PE Educator and Community Activator. At PEAK since starting my apprenticeship in November 2020 I’ve worked and continue to do so with some great members of staff at PEAK within a range of schools in areas of Sunderland, Gateshead and Newcastle delivering PE to Early years, KS1 and KS2.

Recently I’ve been based in school called Riverside Primary delivering PE lessons to classes from reception to year 6 and lunchtime football clubs. By working here once a week since the start of the apprenticeship and throughout lockdown I am now here Tuesday to Friday building fantastic relationships with the staff and children which in turns creates a joyful, positive environment.

What are your credentials/past experience, for working in your position?

Before working at PEAK, I completed multiple qualifications throughout the past few years since leaving school. I completed a BTEC Extended Diploma – Level 3 in Sport (Development, Coaching and Fitness) passed with triple grade distinction in 2017. After that I got my FA Level 1 in Coaching Football in 2019. In 2020 I finished my degree getting a 2:1 BSC Honours Degree in Sport Coaching. Alongside side this I’ve achieved a couple certificates in relation to mental health and risks of radicalization in late 2020. On the practical side of things I’ve been coaching football as Head Coach and Manager for a under 10s team for Harton & Westoe Football Club since April 2019. So working for PEAK is a great opportunity for me to put all of the education I’ve spent time on to back me up in this journey of learning a whole new career in teaching.

What’s your Archetype?

- 53% Athlete

The Athlete's focus and drive are unparalleled. Staying healthy and being fit are paramount to them (as for winning, that doesn't hurt, either).

- 26% Caregiver

Friendly, sincere, and compassionate, the Caregiver finds their reward in helping others. No one could ask for a better best friend.

- 21% Visionary

Leave it to others to live by the status quo. The Visionary is interested in new ways of seeing, solutions not yet imagined, products not yet built.

What do you like about working at PEAK?

I like working with PEAK for a few reasons the main reason for me is when working with children and you can actually see their progress improve and they are genuinely getting better at the skills or technique we are teaching and practicing with them. As well when you come across some kids that aren’t into PE or even team games, but a couple lessons down the way and then those kids are asking to help set up and actively getting involved its very rewarding to see. What I also like is working and discussing with other members and staff at schools while also building those relationships and being apart of communities and teams at those schools.

What’s your background?

Since I could remember I’ve always been involved in some sort of sport. Briefly mentioned before I coach football which is a big passion of mine and I’ve always been apart of football either playing 5,7,9 or 11 aside it’s something I love doing I have been doing since a young age. But even earlier that I was born in South Shields and I’ve been here ever since, I went to Biddick Hall Infants and Primary where I started playing football then moved to my comprehensive Boldon School and it was then when I really got into sport. Growing up I played a range sports and teams competitively like basketball and rugby but there were other sports like swimming, free running and jiu jitsu more as hobbies. One of the most important things I love about sport or even PE as a kid was the social part especially with my mates growing up. I think in secondary school that’s what made me really decide to follow PE or sport either playing, teaching or coaching. After school I went through college and university in this field and continued to crack on with what I love doing.

I also love going to the gym and socialising with my friends either playing football or even gaming. To even going out and meeting up with friends which is nice to do now making a good change considering what happened with lockdown or the past year.

What are the values that drive you?

Values that really drive me and what I try to get the children I teach to think about are honesty, empathy and enthusiasm. For me honesty is something I’ve brought up on and is really Important to me and feel like its something that should be applied to all things in everyday life. Especially when it comes to teaching, I feel like it’s an important trait to show as role model.

Empathy is something I hold dearly as I understand everyone is going on with their own things and when working at schools there could be all sorts of issues amounts students going on and even home life. So for me I want children to thoroughly enjoy their lesson and fun with their friends in a safe space. As people need to be more empathetic to each other especially in the current conditions with Covid we need to be there for others.

Lastly is enthusiasm, having a bouncy, positive attitude with an encouraging and supporting mentality can really help with bringing the best out of children. I feel like in this line of work taking yourself not too seriously and being stern but more importantly respectful shows a lot to the kids and something for them to try copy and apply for themselves.

Your top 3 favourite Podcasts/Books?

For me anything I want to learn or research on I tend to watch YouTube videos or read online sources as I personally find them more engaging. But in my spare time I like to listen and watch more relaxed and let’s say creative podcasts they would be the Joe Rogan Podcast and the True Geordie Podcast or watch general YouTube video.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?

When I’m not working, although I feel like a broken record here, I’m normally at the gym, playing football in some shape or other or coaching my under 10s football team who I’ve had since under 8s which has been great. I love going to the beach or the seafront in general either cycling, relaxing or going for walks. I also love spending time my greyhound Dancer who we’ve had for a couple years from a rescue sanctuary.

If I’m not doing anything practical, I’m then either on the binge for YouTube or Netflix. I do enjoy gaming with my mates in my spare time as it’s something I’ve always enjoyed doing ever since I was younger. Although on the weekends I do enjoy meeting up friends and socialising either watching the footy or going somewhere for food.