SPORT
commiseration. More important to pupils, however, are the long- term benefits of being active in childhood, improving the chances of securing employment or going on into further education. Physical fitness plays a part, but so does the mindset required to commit to training and development, day in, day out, regardless of whether it translates into results. Loyalty and commitment are an important part of the picture, too. During exam season, it’s all too common for pupils to feel that they should focus on revision at the expense of everything else, including sport. Schools are increasingly trying to encourage pupils to keep participating and achieve a healthy balance between academic study and staying active at these potentially stressful times. While exam preparation is undeniably important, sport can add to rather than detract from the process. Instead of revising for eight hours a day with nothing else going on, going out for a walk or a run, or playing sport with friends, can improve concentration and studying ability. To make accessing physical activity an option for everyone, our schools are widening their offerings, so that it’s not just about competition and traditional team sports – which continue to have a hugely important place on the curriculum – but participation and wellbeing, too.
“Sport is increasingly being seen as a vital thread that links different aspects of the education that schools provide”
For many pupils, nothing will come close to the adrenaline rush of team games. For others, physical activity is about the joy of participation and de-stressing from the pace and pressure of deadlines. Some schools now offer outdoor education programmes – anything from archery to kayaking – and with new sports such as pickleball adding to the traditional range (football, cricket, netball and rugby remain some of the staples), there is something for everyone. Even the youngest pupils in a school could experience different sports and learn how to work together, compete and collaborate, while schools are also finding that games can prove a lifeline for pupils with learning challenges. High-energy sports can be invaluable for those who have challenges with focus or
concentration, while swimming or trampolining help others with sensory needs. Given that the benefits of sport extend well into adulthood, sports teachers make a strong case for wanting their pupils to leave school with a positive experience of sport and the desire to continue with some form of physical activity for the rest of their lives. Sport is increasingly being seen as a vital thread that links different aspects of the education that schools provide. Far from being separate from the academic side of life, it can help boost achievement and build engagement. And at a time when pupils face an incredibly uncertain future, our schools are harnessing sports, in all their glorious variety, to bolster skills, values and confidence – which has to be a good thing.
11 CAMBRIDGE EDUCATION GUIDE
Powered by FlippingBook