PE End of Year Review

by Mr Turney, Team Leader of PE

As we approach the final weeks of term, I feel it is a great opportunity to reflect on the year that has gone. The opportunities the PE team provide have again been recognised through our ‘Gold’ Sports Mark award. This recognises and rewards schools who can demonstrate they provide voice, choice, and equal opportunity to young people.

We strongly believe in ‘Sport and Activity for All’ and hence we were absolutely thrilled to have a published case study in HM Government’s School Sport Plan. We were recognised as a leading light in the movement towards equal access to football for girls.

We have had success in the numerous activities we have taken part in. We have competed in every District level event and from this we have had numerous teams that have qualified for County and regional finals. Perhaps our success could be seen from the excellent photographs published over some five pages of the Leighton Buzzard Observer recently!

Real highlights here are the successes at District County Athletics and Cross-Country. Plus great performances in handball, basketball, Futsal, badminton, table tennis, rugby 7’s and in a variety of Equestrian events. I’d finally like to highlight the girls’ cricket team. This has been a huge success this year and a real growth area. Long may this continue!

Teams and competition are crucial to a successful school, however lifelong participation in sport and valuing well-being is even more imperative. It is part of our mission to encourage and support this. In our core PE programme, we have covered a real range of sports and activities. Twelve at a current count! Our extra-curricular provision remains a strength and offering alternative activities is just another way we can support our students’ needs. We continually emphasise that no previous experience is needed to attend a club or practice – everything we offer is accessible for all. So when we return in September, please encourage all to come and try something new.

Our house activity structure has grown and developed, with a number of intra-school activities offered. Next year we have some more big plans to grow this area further.

We have developed links with the local community to help have satellite clubs in as many sports as we possibly can find! A big success this year has been our work with Linslade Galaxy Girls, who now proudly use our excellent grass pitches.

As we progress, we would love to hear from individuals or businesses who might be able to assist with providing more equipment and kit for our teams. Please email [email protected] to discuss the sponsorship options we have available if you can help us in any way.

Finally, I would like to personally thank the PE staff at school for their commitment and dedication to giving students real choice. Their time, effort and energy in providing fantastic opportunities has been absolutely second to none this year. Please enjoy an active summer break!