A Wigan primary school is celebrating a double sporting success
A focus on physical education as well as classroom teaching has landed a Wigan primary school some high profile accolades
A Wigan school’s efforts to keep its pupils fit and healthy have been honoured twice over.
For Wood Fold Primary in Standish has been awarded with both the Association for Physical Education (afPE) quality mark award with distinction and the Gill Parry Award for best practice from the North Western Counties Physical Education Association (NWCPEA).
They are in recognition of the school’s commitment to high-quality physical education, school sport and the development of healthy, active lifestyles for its pupils.
Receiving both awards highlights the importance the school places on providing an inclusive, engaging and well-structured PE curriculum, giving children opportunities to develop their physical skills, confidence, teamwork and a lifelong enjoyment of physical activity.
Wood Fold achieved the quality mark award with distinction following an application and an assessment visit. The award is valid for three years and recognises outstanding commitment to improving PE, school sport and physical activity.
The afPE assessment highlighted three particular strengths at Wood Fold:
- An outstanding, bespoke and balanced curriculum that meets the needs of all pupils, including children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
- Effective assessment and progress tracking, supporting pupil development and adaptive teaching.
- Excellent opportunities beyond lessons, including extracurricular clubs, competitions, active breaks and community links.
The NWCPEA holds an annual award ceremony each year in Manchester in honour of Gill Parry, a former Standish High PE teacher and a founder of Manchester Schools’ PE Association.
Wood Fold won the best practice award from the opportunities that all of the children get to engage in PE and sport (including the wide variety of extra-curricular clubs that are on show); for the very high percentage of SEN, PP and EAL children that attend these clubs is outstanding; an impressive feature was the bespoke PE curriculum and evidence provided of assessment and tracking of pupil progress, especially FMS and use of digital technology.
A spokesperson said: “Winning both awards is an outstanding double achievement for Wood Fold Primary School.
“The awards recognise the quality of its PE curriculum, the breadth of opportunities available to pupils and its commitment to inclusive participation.
“Particular credit is due to the PE leadership team, teaching and support staff, pupils and parents whose collective efforts contribute to this success.”