Grassroots Sports

Martial arts, ultimate frisbee, new-age curling and yoga are just some of the sports that are now offered at the school, which became a Specialist Sports College in 2004. This has given the school more money to invest in sports training, equipment and tuition.

The effects of this change in emphasis are being seen cross the school. Rob Walden, Director of Learning (Sport), says that the school's P.E. lessons are now 99.9% participatory, because the pupils actually want to do the sports being offered. 

The school involves the pupils with sport in other ways as well - many are used as "ambassadors", going out into other schools in the area and teaching the kids there. Others officiate at other sports events in the area, and there is a specific sports council for the 6th Form to ensure that there is no tail-off after the kids finish their GCSEs.

The effect is seen both in classes and across the school. Billy Woppick is the Martial Arts coach and he says that within the space of a term, the children become more confident and certainly physically fitter.

The school is in the second year of an eight year project, and all involved see the benefits of getting kids hooked on as many sports as possible - behaviour and performance is improved across the school and the pupils gain confidence, experience and, most importantly, enjoy the sports they can play.