Market Field School, a specialist school in Elmstead Market for children aged five to 16 with moderate learning difficulties, has been awarded the KS1 Sport and Physical Education Award by Active Essex. The accolade, which the school will hold for two years, recognizes the school's commitment to providing a wide range of sporting opportunities during PE lessons and lunchtime activities.
Wide Range of Sports Offered
The school offers a diverse program including daily walks, basketball, football, cricket, tennis, hockey, and athletics. These activities are adapted to suit the needs of pupils with moderate learning difficulties, with simplified rules to focus on skill development.
Award Ceremony Experience
Five pupils attended the Active Essex Awards at Old Chelmfordians in Chelmsford to receive the award. They also received celebratory t-shirts and water bottles, and participated in a Daily Mile and an adapted cricket game called 3 Tees.
School's Reaction
David Hooley, sports coordinator at Market Field School, expressed pride in the achievement: "This is the first time the school has received this award. We are recognised as a healthy school, but this is the first time we have been recognised with the KS1 Sport and Physical Education Award, so this is a great addition."
He explained the school's inclusive approach: "Our curriculum is similar to a mainstream setting, with most games and activities matching the way that they would be played in a mainstream environment. We just teach them in an adapted way and take out the more complicated rules that may take focus away from the skills we are looking to develop."
Benefits for Pupils
Hooley highlighted the positive impact on children: "For the children, it is a great way to learn how to play and interact with each other, an opportunity to see progress and achievement, which can be a quick confidence boost, and allows them to keep their emotions regulated, letting out any excess energy and feelings."
He added: "We are very proud to have been selected for this award, one which evidences our commitment to offering a wide PE and sport offering, built around the physical literacy framework and providing all of our children with fundamental movement skills and sports skills that will offer a lifelong benefit."
Event Highlights
Reflecting on the awards ceremony, Hooley said: "The event was brilliant; it brought lots of like-minded schools together and gave our children a chance to experience an event and environment that is unlike anything they have experienced before. We are so proud of the way they represented Market Field School and were able to interact with children from other schools."
The award will be displayed at the school for two years, serving as a testament to its dedication to inclusive physical education.
