Physical Education
Physical Education
Physical Education at Wakefield City Academy, taught by four full time members of staff, is regarded as an important subject. It is not simply about 'letting off steam', but a subject that can educate a child through a variety of physical activities.
Research has shown that young people today are becoming increasingly unfit, overweight and far more likely to get degenerative diseases in adult life because of their inactivity as children.
Poor diet, endless hours in front of the television or home computer and being transported around by car, bus and train, all underline the necessity for regular physical activity in schools.
By maintaining a basic level of fitness and good health, the children would not only gain huge physical benefits, but also learn important social skills as individuals and as a part of a team. They learn tolerance, co-operation, how to accept and hold responsibility and how to win and lose gracefully, to name a few.
Physical Education Department Aims:
- To offer all students opportunities to experience differing sporting environments and challenges underlying the values of both team and individual games
- To endeavour to fulfil the needs of all participants regardless of ability
- To encourage all students to develop a positive attitude towards sport and exercise
- To endeavour to instil in all students an understanding of the need to remain fit and active throughout their lives and not just when they are at school
- To assist the socialisation of the students by providing co-operative and competitive situations in which they work together, help each other and share experiences, through fair play and good sportsmanship
- To provide opportunities for the physical development of students, their strength, stamina, agility and flexibility, and encourage a desire for personal fitness
- To provide a broad based and well balanced programme of physical education
- To provide students with opportunities to develop a good basic level of skill in a wide range of activities, and opportunities to participate at a more advanced level
- To appreciate skilled performance in themselves and others
- To assist in the developing personalities of the students by encouraging initiative, self-discipline, control, poise, confidence, self-esteem, and an understanding of personal capabilities, strengths and limitations
- To experience the pleasure, satisfaction, and enjoyment of physical activity and encourage future participation in sport for leisure
The Academy aims to provide a broad and balanced experience of Physical Education for all of its students. The traditional team sports of football, rugby, cricket, hockey, netball and rounder’s are covered fully, both within and beyond the formal curriculum. In addition, students are taught gymnastics, dance, athletics, health and fitness (incorporating weight training and aerobics), badminton, basketball, cross-country and tennis. A ‘House’ system was introduced in 1997, whereby each student is allocated a house colour and inter-house competitions are held throughout the year, culminating in a traditional whole-school Sports Day.
Clubs and teams are offered on a regular basis, with fixtures being organised against other schools. The new Sports Hall, which opened in July 2005, includes a fitness suite and extensive changing rooms. Use is made of outside coaches and parents wherever and whenever possible. Links with other sporting bodies are actively encouraged.
