Nichola Aitchison has been Head of Physical Education at The Mary Erskine School for eight years. Before joining the ESMS community she worked at St George’s School, Glenalmond College and spent four years in international schools in Hong Kong. At MES Nichola has overseen significant changes in the variety of sports offered and the promotion of issues specific to females and physical activity. She has two daughters at the schools and tries to live as active a lifestyle as time allows, having recently run the Edinburgh Marathon and regularly still turning out on the hockey pitch for Boroughmuir Ladies.
What do you think sets our Sports provision apart from other schools?
For me it is the balance between performance and participation that allows pupils at MES to access sport and physical activity. I firmly believe that the variety of activities, from our traditional team sports to outdoor pursuits like orienteering and mountain biking, gives our pupils the best chance of pursing a lifestyle that has physical activity at its heart. In addition, there are multiple opportunities to represent the school in a multitude of sports, regardless of level of ability, which ensures that sport and physical activity are part of the culture of the school and MES pupils are proud to be active.
What is your greatest achievement?
Professionally, the Sport in Her Shoes conference in September 2022 was a real highlight. Sharing pertinent information to create a culture of openness around females in sport and physical activity is so important and should not be exclusive to staff and pupils in an independent school. Over 200 parents joined the session led by Dr Emma Ross, prior to the main conference which saw around 300 participants from MES, local state schools, our fellow independent schools and national governing bodies join us for an informative and enlightening day. Topics from puberty to menopause were covered and participants were left feeling empowered to share information, talk about issues and move forward more informed. In my opening speech I stated that I wished someone had spoken about these issues when I was younger, and I think that now we have started the conversation our pupils are more ready to tackle issues and not put up with the lack of research into women and sport.
On a personal level, my greatest achievement would be my two daughters who I hope I am a good role model for!
Tell us about the staff in your department/What makes the MES Sports Department such a special place to be?
I am very lucky to work with a department who I can call my friends. We come from a variety of backgrounds with a wide range of expertise, but our sporting experiences and appreciation of teamwork means that their dedication to the pupils and support for one another is unwavering. The pupils are at the heart of everything the department do, and their commitment and appreciation of each individual pupil means they provide a physical education that is inclusive, challenging and fun! They are role models for our pupils and appreciate the many demands that our pupils face. I have seen first-hand how they help pupils to manage their sport alongside academic studies, understanding that balance enables longevity in any sporting life.
Do you have a personal motto?
What’s for you won’t go by you!
What is the biggest barrier facing girls in Sport?
The barriers are many and varied and we need to be mindful to look outside of the MES environment to understand why there are drop offs in participation amongst teenage girls. Accessibility is a huge factor. Sport for girls needs to be easily accessible, affordable, positive and sociable. Sports kit needs to be designed with females in mind because body image is so key to feeling good about participating in sport. Increasing the variety of experiences in sport and giving choice is also critical in ensuring girls get a range of sporting experiences to be able to find what suits them and makes them want to continue to participate.
We made it through to the Scottish Cup finals this year but were beaten by EA. What did you say to the students?
What we said to the pupils on the night was important. They gave all their effort and our pride in that was huge. They were relentless right up to the final whistle and did everything that was asked of them. However, the teams’ reaction in defeat reflected our sporting culture and understanding of sport as a series of learning opportunities. Of course, they were bitterly disappointed, but they were also pragmatic and know that sport doesn’t always bring you guaranteed success. Sometimes you lose and but as long as you learn you will be better for the experience.
Who is your sporting hero?
Ahh, I’ve loads! Right now, I am super impressed by the women in Scottish sport who are making the transition from “amateur” to professional. Rachel Malcom the Scotland women’s rugby captain, Claire Maxwell who has been a stalwart of the Scotland netball set up and has returned to the professional game after having a child both spring to mind. Laura Muir who achieved her veterinary degree while competing at elite level on the track. Eilish McColgan and Dina Asher Smith who are brave enough to speak out about the impact of and lack of research on female health and sport. The Lionesses whose achievements and impact at last summer’s Euros was impossible to ignore and whose legacy has been the increase in exposure for women’s sport.
What is the one thing you hope to instil in every student by the time they leave?
It is important to me that lessons for life can be learnt through sport. I hope to instil tolerance, compassion and resilience as well as a love for an active lifestyle.
What is the best bit of your job?
I get to decide on the direction that sport can take in The Mary Erskine School. I get to hear pupils’ feedback and use that to ensure our provision is relevant and at the forefront of the sporting landscape in Scotland. I get to lead an amazing department who are the envy of many schools and I get to teach pupils from Nursery to S6. The variety in my job keeps me challenged and hungry to see what else we can do.
How do you think ESMS can inspire children outside our community to find a love of Sport?
The perfect example has been our recent Community Sport Initiative in conjunction with the FP rugby, hockey and cricket clubs. Pupils from our Sports Leaders courses have been involved with young people from The Yard and Carrongrange School in mornings of sport of activities. Our pupils took part in Scottish Disability Sport training and used their skills in the wider community to give young people who have difficulty accessing suitable sporting activities the chance to have fun and be part of a community that appreciates the powerful impact of sport. Our pupils were inspiring, empathetic and embodied everything we want to share about sport at MES.
Who would be at your fantasy dinner party?
Gabby Logan, Claudia Winkleman, Tim Minchin and Lin Manuel Miranda. I’d maybe let my husband come too!
Tell us something about yourself that no one else knows?
It is not commonly known that I have several caps for hockey representing Hong Kong!
