www.marchesacademytrust.co.uk
Spring Term 2 Update Primary Physical Education & Sport
Learn Cycling Widening Participation in Cycle Training at The Grange Primary School Shropshire’s national standards cycle training provider has delivered its first course as part of a special project to widen participation. Learn Cycling have been delivering Bikeability cycle training in Shropshire since 2017, developing the skills of young cyclists in schools across the county. Instructors train participants to handle their cycle effectively and to use public highways with confidence. The organisation was recently awarded funding to increase the numbers of primary school children accessing cycle training in North Shrewsbury, and successfully delivered a Bikeability Level 1 and 2 course to 23 ten and eleven year olds from The Grange Primary School in Harlescott. The funding was used to provide fully-serviced second-hand bicycles from Shropshire Cycle Hub, which pupils have had the opportunity to keep upon completion of the training, along with a cycle helmet, lock and high-visibility jacket. Learn Cycling’s Participation Project Coordinator Hannah Burgess said, “The training that we deliver is hugely valuable in empowering young people to access cycling, a life skill that contributes to increased independence and facilitates active travel from an early age. “The funding from The Bikeability Trust has enabled us to invest in bikes for pupils at The Grange Primary School, allowing a much greater number of children to take part. Every child who completed the course demonstrated an enthusiasm for cycling and is now equipped with the skills and experience to continue cycling as they get older. “The excellent teachers and administrative team have been a pleasure to work with, their support for the project has been very much appreciated. We are grateful to Shropshire Cycle Hub, too, for a great service in providing the bikes and ensuring that they were in good condition prior to the training.”
One Step Closer…
In a very tight affair Oakmeadow C of E Primary School narrowly defeated St. Georges C of E Primary School by a scoreline of 3-2 in the Shropshire Schools County Plate. Racing into a 30 lead by half time, Oakmeadow looked comfortable and good for the win, but with a very determined St. Georges coming out of the blocks quickly in the second half, Oakmeadow had to dig deep for the victory.
Inspirational Talk Year 5 & 6 pupils at Grange Primary School welcomed disabled adventure Darren Edwards as part of their current ‘Alpine Region’ topic last week. Darren is a former Mountaineer and Army Reservist who was paralysed in a near death climbing accident at the age of 26. Since then, Darren has become an active paraadventurer and expedition leader who has become a passionate champion of the phrase “strength through adversity”.
Max Oakley, Archery GB Ambassador Visits Trust Primary Schools. Longlands Primary School, Lower Heath C of E Primary School, Grange Primary School and Oakmeadow C of E Primary School all recently welcomed Max Oakley, a Year 10 student at our of our academy trust schools, the Grove School in Market Drayton, who has big ambitions: he is aiming to represent team GB at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics in archery! Taking time out from his training (6 days a week) as well as his studies, Max shared his journey with us and how he had come to be a master at his sport. Max regularly shoots targets from 70 metres away, which must take a huge amount of patience, skill and concentration.
Marches Academy Trust Primary Varsity Event In March, the five primary schools from across The Marches Academy Trust competed in the Trust Varsity Games event. The competition saw over 100 children participate in Key Stage 2 girls’ football and Key Stage 2 archery, at Shrewsbury School. The Trust cannot thank Stuart Cowper and everyone at Shrewsbury School for hosting this event. Along with hosting the competition, they also supplied all of our children and staff with a cooked meal ahead of the activities. Congratulations to Longlands Primary School who were crowned winners of the Varsity Games!
Shrewsbury Rotary Club Supporting Extra Curricular Opportunities at The Grange Primary School Shrewsbury Rotary Club have agreed to support the extra curriculum opportunities for the pupils at The Grange Primary School. Following their continued support to Grange Primary, this will mean their after school clubs will be free of charge for their pupils. The staff at The Grange Primary School want to support their pupils by giving them a sporting opportunity and finding their love for sport.
KS1 Cricket Festival Year 2 pupils from Longlands Primary School recently visited Packwood Haugh School to participate in a Shropshire Cricket Board Festival. It was fantastic to see Longlands giving their KS1 pupils the opportunities in sport.
Archery Competition
75 pupils across Longlands Primary School, Lower Heath C of E Primary School & Tilstock C of E Primary School all took part in the Market Drayton Sports Partnership archery competition during Spring Term 2. All schools scored high numbers and we await the final standings.
Dodgeball Primary School of the Year 2022 Longlands Primary School recently received the news that they have been shortlisted for British Dodgeball Primary School Dodgeball Award 2022. A shortlist of 10 primary schools have been selected. Dodgeball is quickly becoming one of the most popular sports in the UK with Active Lives data ranking dodgeball as the 4th most participated sport in English schools and the 5th in Welsh schools. Dodgeball in schools is also in high demand with 33% of children expressing a desire to play more dodgeball than they are currently playing, higher than any other sport.
Rocktopus Workshops Oakmeadow C of E Primary School, Longlands Primary School and Lower Heath C of E Primary School all recently welcomed Rocktopus to their schools. Rock The Sport engages your children in dynamic songwriting workshops, covering many skills from the PE, literacy and music curriculum and encouraging reluctant learners to enjoy PE as never before.
North Shropshire Girls The North Shropshire District girls team run by the Marches Academy Trust recently faced Harborne District in the Birmingham Schools FA Finals at Aston Villa Football Club. The girls went 2-0 down and came back to make it 2-2, but sadly lost on penalties.
HAF Programme The Marches Academy Trust are excited to be running 6 Shropshire Council HAF Programmes across all of our primary schools. Working with The Shrewsbury Tennis Club, Bright Star Boxing and Shropshire Schools Tennis we will be running workshops for over 250 pupils.
Student Spotlights Evie from Lower Heath C of E Primary School has recently gained her first swimming badge and can now swim without a woggle! Keep up the good work Evie – great achievement.
Congratulations to Year 5 pupil Eva from Longlands Primary School who recently finished 2nd in her Dressage Competition.
Congratulations to The Grange Primary School pupil Frankie-Lee who was voted man of the match recently with Shrewsbury Juniors U8s! Keep up the great work Frankie!
Sophia from Longlands Primary School recently took part in her second ballet exam in December and was graded distinction! She also took part in her first Irish dance competition in November and now has a place in the OPIDF Championships in London later this year!