PRACTICE MATTERS
USING PHYSICAL EDUCATION, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND SPORT TO SUPPORT STUDENTS’ WELLBEING Sara Guy
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he experience of physical education, sport and physical activity at Leweston School is unique. It evolves around the concept of ‘team’, focuses on the whole Leweston community and is forever considering the physical, mental and emotional wellbeing of all concerned. An athlete-centred approach allows each and every pupil to find their niche, contribute to the increasingly broad programme of activities on offer, and achieve their own individual goals. Set in 45 acres of rural Dorset countryside, Leweston provides an idyllic backdrop for all the sporting events it provides for our pupils, from nursery through to sixth form. It is impossible not to be inspired by the natural beauty of the school’s surroundings and the desire to be outside and amongst it is tangible. The nursery pupils are regularly seen walking within the grounds and taking advantage of the fresh air and open space. They have regular PE lessons delivered by specialist staff and swimming lessons are a weekly feature for all those in transition class upwards. Leweston ticks all of the boxes in terms of providing a traditional offering of school team sport. Hockey, netball, rugby, football, tennis and cricket are all delivered, sometimes with mixed, co-ed teams. This allows for an all-inclusive approach which aims to involve everyone at their own level. Whilst teams progress to county and regional finals, there is also competition at inter-house level, with all taking part.
However, Leweston goes further, delivering a huge range of individual sports which, once again, are open to all ability levels from beginner to elite. As one of only nine Pentathlon Academies nationwide, our pupils compete at national and international level, with an array of European and World Champions amongst their ranks in biathle, triathle and laser-run. Early morning swimming training is a feature at the school, and the pool is available to all each lunchtime. Fencing, shooting and riding lessons are provided by specialist coaches.
try their hand at Zumba, kick boxing, Pilates, sailing, archery and golf, to name but a few. The Leweston Leisure programme, open to parents and local families, provides tai chi and HIIT classes, spinning, yoga and use of the school’s swimming pool and tennis courts. All of these activities enable participants to work with new people, to acquire new skills, to switch off from their other daily tasks and to unwind. Every summer the school holds an activities week with opportunities for pupils to harness up and challenge themselves with a tree-climbing option, using some of the famous cedars that adorn the grounds. The majority of pupils sign up to the Duke of Edinburgh Award, which is offered up to Gold level with the inevitable hiking and expeditions that this involves. Healthy activity even plays a part in the school’s faith programme with staff and students taking part in walks during their annual retreats.
Running has been outstanding at Leweston for a number of years, with the school holding a vast range of local, regional and national titles. Crosscountry runs within the grounds and on surrounding footpaths are popular amongst both staff and pupils, with the Friday run having upwards of 45 pupils and 10 staff participating, almost a quarter of the senior school’s population. Leweston also currently boasts one of the strongest equestrian teams in the country, with almost 30 pupils regularly competing on the NSEA circuit and qualifying for prestigious events such as the Royal Windsor Horse Show. The school has taken the NSEA Regional Points League Title for four years in a row, last year with the most points of any school in the country. Beyond this, there is a huge breadth of opportunities available to pupils, staff, parents and the local community on a regular basis. The extra-curricular activities programme allows pupils to
In everything Leweston does there is a feel of ‘team’ and ‘community’, which is why #team has evolved as one of the most powerful messages that appears on the @lewestonsport Instagram page. Pupils’ achievements, both at elite and grassroots level, are celebrated equally and regular sports assemblies highlight the contributions that everyone has made within inter-school and inter-house competitions. Community service allows the pupils to become involved in wellbeing projects, both within and outside of school. Many organise or assist the physical activities
PHYSICAL EDUCATION MATTERS – SUMMER 2020
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PRACTICE MATTERS
taking place with the nursery or prep school pupils, including their sports team practices or swimming lessons. The annual St Antony’s Day celebrations see sixth formers lead teams of all ages in ‘It’s a Knockout’ style competitions, supported by academic and support staff alike. The sporting theme continues into the school’s extensive charity work, with Year 13 pupils organising an annual 24-hour triathlon to raise funds for good causes. It should come as no surprise that sport continually seems to be their natural goto activity. It is simply a part of who they are as pupils, having progressed through their school years at Leweston. With the recent impact of Coronavirus, we were concerned that the temporary closure of Leweston would hugely impact upon this community ethos and mean
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that the physical, mental and emotional benefits gained from the regular sporting integration of pupils would come to a halt. There would no longer be the opportunity to join together and work as a team or to challenge oneself to new and exciting opportunities on the playing field or within the grounds. Opportunities for mindfulness and the capacity to nurture the mental wellbeing of pupils and staff would be gone. However, alongside the digital learning platforms designed to help pupils continue with their academic study, a fun and interactive Daily Physical Challenge was set up immediately to enable pupils and staff to stay fit, active, healthy and happy during the prolonged period of self-distancing and lockdown. In true Leweston style, the daily challenges were received with open minds and good humour. The results of their endeavours
PHYSICAL EDUCATION MATTERS – SUMMER 2020
are shown in photographs and video footage posted on the @lewestonsport Instagram page. Through social media, the Leweston sporting spirit lives on, with the whole community able to share their fun and engaging interpretations of the daily challenge. Despite the enforced isolation that has been imposed, Leweston pupils continue to be active, thrive and entertain! When we emerge from the threat of COVID-19, pupils are sure to be stronger than before and this, in no small part, will be due to the value placed on physical activity, community and #team. ■
Sara Guy is Director of Sport at Leweston School.