Dear Headteacher,

I am proposing that we run the fencing school club either in the mornings at 8:00 am or after school at 3:00pm.

My name is Claire Lachlan and my husband is Mark Barrowcliffe. My husband and I are qualified fencing coaches and my husband is a competitive fencer who has been involved in the sport since he was 15 - nearly 35 years. I am also qualified as a fencing coach. From time to time we also use other coaches to run courses that have been fully vetted and have also had a full DBS check.

We have a full DBS check, first aid certificate and have both been on a child protection course. We are working with a number of schools in the Sussex area with children between 8 and 11. If you would like their details or references we would be happy to give them. Mark also runs Worthing Fencing Club.

The pricing would depend on factors such as if you offer a hall for free, the number of pupils. We provide our own equipment and clothing. It would also be possible to offer fencing during a PE lesson as a taster or do a display during an assembly. In addition, we would be happy to show you more about our courses. At the moment we are charging pupils £5.00 each for an hours lesson. There are usually a maximum of 12 in the group. All the schools have given us their halls for free.

Fencing is an Olympic sport and a great activity to develop fitness, concentration and problem-solving ability but it also has a very strong code of sporting behaviour. Children are encouraged to correct the referee if he or she wrongly awards them a point. The philosophy is that, if you don't win fairly, you don't really win at all.

In 2015 I plan to organise an inter-schools fencing competition.

Safety is the number one priority in fencing and the sport's injury rate is very low indeed - certainly much lower than football or gymnastics, and is on a par with sports such as badminton.

I hope to hear from you soon. If you would like to discuss this further please call me on 07825 189244 or 01273 731042 and we can arrange a time to visit.

With kind regards,

Claire Lachlan
Head Coach
Fencing School, 7 Wykeham Terrace, Brighton, BN1 3FF.