Range of clubs available to join in addition to PE lessons
Ark Acton’s students say they enjoy new compulsory sports sessions
Ark Acton’s students say they enjoy new compulsory sports sessions
Ark Acton Academy has introduced new compulsory weekly sports sessions with the aim of increased morale, lower post-pandemic anxiety and greater focus among its students.
Along with a new range of optional clubs at lunchtime and before and after school, all of Year 8 and Year 10’s students now have a compulsory weekly sports session, alongside their regular PE lessons.
The sessions give students the opportunity to find a new sporting passion, with sessions offered in yoga, girls’ lacrosse, trampolining, debatebox, volleyball, football, fitness training in the school’s fitness suite, high-intensity training, table tennis, basketball, cricket, and netball.
Nickael Briggs, Assistant Principal at Ark Acton, said, “We know that students have missed out on a range of experiences, including opportunities to try new sports, that previous year groups have benefited from.
“We’re focused on making sure that our students recover fully from the disruption caused by the pandemic, both academically and more generally. We know that sport will play an important part in this for many of our students.”
Students have welcomed the new sporting opportunities with the range of optional clubs that are open to all year groups taking place over lunchtimes and before and after school being signed up to in minutes after becoming available.
Mahdi, a Year 8 student, said, “It has been fun playing football because I enjoy it. It is great because I get to hang out with my friends and play something I love. I was happy when I found out my tutor group were going to be playing football for the whole half term.”
Daisy, a Year 9 student, said, “I was really excited about being given the opportunity to participate in the trampolining club this year. I’ve gained heaps of confidence whilst doing what I love. Although I was slightly apprehensive to begin with, I have made so much progress thanks to the support of my teachers.”
Zaniya, a Year 8 student, said, “I was really upset hearing we have to do lacrosse every Thursday because I did the club when I was in year 7. But my form tutor gave me inspiration to keep on going and sharing my talent to help others. Ms Collin has always given me confidence and told me to be proud. By playing this sport every week I get better and love helping others."
Layan, a Year 8 student, said, “At first I was not looking forward to playing football because I don’t enjoy it. Now that we play it each week I am becoming better and better at it since week 1."
Oli Knight, Principal of Ark Acton, said, “We’ve found that making just one of the sports sessions compulsory has tipped the balance and where our optional clubs previously had quite low uptake, they’re now fully-subscribed, which is excellent.
“Along with the direct and immediate impact on the students’ wellbeing, the clubs also lower the inequality gap, making sure that sporting excellence is not something that’s only open to a privileged few. I’m looking forward to seeing Ark Acton students on the Olympics podium in years to come!”
Ark Acton Academy was formed in September 2018 following the closure of Acton High School.
Find Articles Like This Useful? Help Us Produce More This site remains committed to providing local community news and public interest journalism. Articles such as the one above are integral to what we do. We aim to feature as much as possible on local societies, charities based in the area, fundraising efforts by residents, community-based initiatives and even helping people find missing pets. We’ve always done that and won’t be changing, in fact we’d like to do more. However, the readership that these stories generates is often below that needed to cover the cost of producing them. Our financial resources are limited and the local media environment is intensely competitive so there is a constraint on what we can do. We are therefore asking our readers to consider offering financial support to these efforts. Any money given will help support community and public interest news and the expansion of our coverage in this area. A suggested monthly payment is £8 but we would be grateful for any amount for instance if you think this site offers the equivalent value of a subscription to a daily printed newspaper you may wish to consider £20 per month. If neither of these amounts is suitable for you then contact info@neighbournet.com and we can set up an alternative. All payments are made through a secure web site. One-off donations are also appreciated. Choose The Amount You Wish To Contribute. If you do support us in this way we’d be interested to hear what kind of articles you would like to see more of on the site – send your suggestions to the editor. For businesses we offer the chance to be a corporate sponsor of community content on the site. For £30 plus VAT per month you will be the designated sponsor of at least one article a month with your logo appearing if supplied. If there is a specific community group or initiative you’d like to support we can make sure your sponsorship is featured on related content for a one off payment of £50 plus VAT. All payments are made through a secure web site. |
October 7, 2021
