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School Sports and Physical Activity

School Sports and Physical Activity

Our aim is to support children's health and wellbeing within our community.  Improvement in a child’s health and wellbeing often goes hand in hand with their academic achievement.

We will work with local schools to facilitate and deliver six-week physical activity programmes to introduce the children to functional fitness and movements using state of the art equipment.

Our primary emphasis is on functional fitness, steering clear of fixed machines or static equipment. This approach fosters improved stability and joint health in a more functional manner, aligning better with everyday activities.

The programme is designed to enhance cardiovascular fitness and muscular strength to improve the development of healthy muscles and bones and boost mental health and wellbeing. Our ambition is to encourage the children to build the confidence to engage in different types of physical activity and develop healthy physical activity habits which they can continue throughout their lives.

We endeavour to create a positive, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all children to take part in physical activity regardless of age, ethnicity, sex, disability, and socio-economic status.

Delivery

For a duration of six weeks, spanning half a term, we propose a dedicated delivery plan aimed at enhancing the physical fitness and well-being of Key Stage Two children, specifically those in years 4, 5, and 6.

Delivery involves allocating one afternoon per week for the presence of one or two of our trained students who will actively engage with the school community to conduct functional fitness physical activity sessions.

The proposed sessions are designed to be flexible and adaptable, allowing us to tailor the activities to best align with the school's objectives, ethos, and timetabling constraints. Our goal is to seamlessly integrate these sessions into the existing school schedule, ensuring minimal disruption while maximising the impact on the participating children.

Our students, well-versed in functional fitness principles, will bring a dynamic and interactive approach to the sessions. These activities are not only geared towards physical health but also aim to instil values of teamwork, discipline, and overall wellbeing. By focusing on Key Stage Two, we target a critical developmental stage, fostering a positive attitude towards physical activity and laying the foundation for a healthy lifestyle.

We aspire to contribute meaningfully to the school's commitment to holistic child development, promoting physical fitness as an integral aspect of a well-rounded education. We are open to collaboration, feedback, and further customisation to ensure that the delivered sessions align seamlessly with the school's vision for the well-being and growth of its students.

Proposed Physical Activity

The proposed physical activity plan is designed to provide a comprehensive and progressive approach to functional fitness. The sessions are structured to include key elements such as warm-up, mobility exercises, an introduction to specific functional movements, conditioning sessions, and a cool-down.

Warm-up and Mobility Exercises:

Each session will commence with a thorough warm-up, incorporating dynamic movements to prepare the body for physical activity. This will be followed by mobility exercises to enhance flexibility and joint range of motion, promoting injury prevention and overall physical well-being.

Introduction to Functional Movements:

The heart of the program lies in the introduction to fundamental functional movements. Across the six weeks, the sessions will focus on different movements, including Squat, Deadlift, Strict Press/Push Press, Burpee, Clean and Press, and a recap of all movements. Each week will delve into the specific mechanics, techniques, and benefits of the featured movement.

Conditioning Sessions:

Following the introduction to each functional movement, the sessions will include conditioning exercises. These aim to enhance essential movement skills, improve aerobic conditioning, and build muscular strength. The conditioning sessions are strategically designed to make everyday activities more manageable and promote a holistic approach to physical fitness.

Cool Down:

Each session will conclude with a targeted cool-down, incorporating static stretches and relaxation techniques to aid in muscle recovery and flexibility.

Our approach ensures that children receive a well-rounded functional fitness experience, promoting not only physical health but also fostering a positive attitude towards exercise and movement. The recap session in week six reinforces learning from the previous weeks and allows for a comprehensive understanding of all movements that have been introduced.

Contact

Contact us for more information: SAWA@ntu.ac.uk

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