Sport and PE

Sport and PE at Walton Hall Academy

Physical Education at Walton Hall Academy aims to enable students to develop their knowledge, skills and understanding so that they can perform with increasing confidence and competence in a range of sports and physical activities. Through PE lessons we aim to promote student understanding of their bodies in action through skill development and skill application. This enables pupils to make informed choices about participation in physical activities throughout their lives whilst developing self-confidence and self-esteem.

The aims of Physical Education at Walton Hall Academy are:

  • To enable students to develop and explore physical skills with increasing control and co-ordination.
  • To encourage students to work as a team in a range of group situations improving their co-operation skills and sensitivity towards others with differing abilities.To develop the way students perform skills and apply rules and conventions to different activities.
  • To increase students’ ability to use what they have learnt to improve the quality and control of their performance.
  • To teach students to recognise and describe how their bodies feel during exercise.
  • To develop student enjoyment and motivation towards physical activity and to derive satisfaction and achievement.
  • To engage in competitive sports and activities that build character, self-confidence and embed values such as fairness and respect.
  • To develop an understanding of how to succeed in a range of physical activities and how to evaluate and further develop their own success.
  • To provide opportunities for physical and sensory EHCP desired outcomes to be worked towards allowing students to improve muscle tone, co-ordination, fine and gross motor skills.

In Key Stage 3 it is important that students experience a broad and balanced P.E. curriculum. Year 7, 8 and 9 are taught knowledge, skills and understanding through a range of games, gymnastics, swimming, health and fitness activities and athletics. Throughout lessons students have the opportunity to apply the skills and techniques that they have learnt to games situations or compositions.

They are also encouraged to evaluate both their own and the performance of others and use this to further progress and develop. Students are taught about the muscles of the body, the importance of warm-up and cool-downs, different types of fitness and the impact of exercise on the body. Communication and interaction skills are promoted throughout lessons where team-work and co-operation are essential. 

In Key Stage 4 students take part in a physical activity afternoon where they can select between two activities offered. These may include a range of games, for example, Hockey, basketball, football, cricket and softball; health related fitness, yoga, walking, Tai Chi and mindfulness. The aim of these afternoons vary depending on the activity; however we try to further embed skills, knowledge and game application. Through offering activity choice it is hoped that students will gain a positive experience that will enable them to make informed choices on continuation of physical activity after leaving school.

In Post 16 students are taught about the importance of regular exercise and the benefits it has on their lives.  The emphasis here is on enjoyment and motivation therefore more leisure activities are carried out.  These include walking, fitness activities in the school’s fitness suite, yoga, football, indoor games, jogging and access to community sport and physical activity facilities.

For students following our sensory pathway a different programme of study is in place. Here the students participate in activities that will enhance their muscle tone, body composition, balance, posture, co-ordination and gross motor skills whilst also increasing their confidence and self-esteem.  PE lessons aim to provide students with the opportunity to work towards targets identified in their Individual Learner Plans and desired outcomes in their EHCPs. Activities for these groups include horse-riding, swimming, dance, sensory circuits and completion of physiotherapy set exercises.

Extra-curricular activities

Sport and games are an important aspect of Walton Hall Academy life. Many students thoroughly enjoy participating in regular sporting activities. Organised football training is available to the students weekly and students across the school may have the opportunity to access the school’s fitness suite at lunchtimes. During residential evening activities sport, games and fitness sessions are frequently available.

Inter-school Competitions

Walton Hall is a member of the North Staffs Special Schools Sports Association (NSSSSA).  Through the association students have the opportunity to play in regular tournaments against other schools in many different sports, for example, football, uni-hoc, kwik cricket, softball, swimming, athletics and basketball.  This introduces a competitive element to both team games and individual sports and allows the pupils to put into practice the skills that they have developed in their lessons. These competitions provide students with the opportunity to build character, resilience and embed values such as fairness and respect. Our teams are selected from across the academy and staff encourage students to work cooperatively and collaboratively therefore developing a sense of team spirit.

We are also part of the Staffordshire Special School Football league and regular fixtures are carried out and various venues across the county including St. Georges Park.