VIEW FROM THE CLASSROOM
development in PE. In choosing Two Mile Ash, MKSSP said we had demonstrated “breadth and depth of offer and uptake”, and “good evidence for each criteria with great participation figures”. Separately, a Two Mile Ash pupil was awarded Sports Ambassador of the Year, another was named Sports Personality of the Year, and two pupils were nominated for active and sports leader awards.
How extensive is the PE opportunity for the children?
Over 150 events (school and house) were accessed by pupils in 2022-23, with 555 (83%) of pupils representing the school in a sport fixture and 491 (73%) representing their house in at least one sport competition. On top of this, many pupils access regular sports clubs and practices during lunchtimes and after school. This is just the start and we know that IFtL has a strong desire for sport to take on an even more prominent role in the trust, in line with a vision to inspire the futures of all through learning together. We take an inclusive approach to sport: it is not solely about the highest ability children, we make sure that children of all abilities have the opportunity to represent their school.
What are the more ‘untypical’ sports events you run?
Korfball, which has similarities to netball and basketball. It is played by two teams of eight players with four female players and four male players in each team. The aim is to throw a ball into a netless basket that is mounted on a 3.5m high pole. The sport was invented by a Dutch school teacher, and in the Netherlands there are approximately 500 clubs and more than 90,000 people playing korfball. Our pupils also enjoyed the heats and finals of the Bikeability Olympics organised by Cycling Citizens in Milton Keynes, took part in an Archery Festival, and experienced a fantastic afternoon at Climb Quest.
Tell us about some of the wider approaches you to take to promote healthy lifestyles. Throughout the last academic year we have been working hard as a school to achieve Modeshift Stars Schools Accreditation. This scheme recognises schools that show excellence in supporting cycling, walking and other forms of sustainable travel. As a school, Two Mile Ash has devised a Travel Plan and recorded initiatives that have taken place this year. We submitted
our application in July with the hope of gaining our first aim, the Bronze Award. This is another step in our ongoing journey to develop healthier, safe habits of travel to and from school in our community. Specific initiatives included Walk to School Week, Walking Bubbles, Bike Week, Pedal for Prizes and Clean Air Day.
How does the sport premium support all this work?
It is vital. Our school’s vision is to use Sport Premium funding to create a school-wide culture that encourages all our children to enjoy physical activity and strive to live healthy, active lifestyles. We will endeavour to use the Sport Premium funding to make high-quality Physical Education and School Sport sustainable. Our CPD programme and strong links with external sport providers, local sports partnerships and other schools in IFtL will help us to achieve this vision. Like all schools, we produce an annual report to evidence the impact of the Sport Premium against the DfE vision for all pupils leaving primary school physically literate and with the knowledge, skills and motivation necessary to equip them for a healthy, active lifestyle and lifelong participation in physical activity and sport.
Does this ‘opportunity for all’ approach to inclusivity filter right through the school? Absolutely. Our school aims to be an inclusive school. We actively seek to remove the barriers
to learning and participation that can hinder or exclude individual pupils, or groups of pupils. This means that equality of opportunity must be a reality for all our children, and this of course includes pupils with disabilities. For 2023-24, we have set specific equality objectives including for our whole school community to value and reflect the diverse society of the whole Two Mile Ash community, and to raise the attainment and quality of provision for all vulnerable pupils including those who are disadvantaged, SEND, lower attaining and at risk of suspension or exclusion, to enhance their life and educational opportunities.
How would you describe your ways of working with parents?
Our aim and intention is that both children and parents will have a rewarding and happy experience at Two Mile Ash School. We firmly believe that every child has the right to the best education possible, so that he or she can reach their full potential and, at the same time, find that school life can be interesting and enjoyable. Parents and schools have a common and shared interest – their child, working together in partnership – and this partnership builds a firm foundation from which a child will develop the skills necessary for their future. Our commitment to parents, their child and our partnership, means we ensure our school is an ‘open’ and welcoming school. Our parents are incredibly supportive in our mission around PE and sports, and indeed every aspect of school life.
Finally, what is your ethos, both now and going forward?
We have created a broad, balanced, rich and vibrant curriculum, to excite and motivate our children; enabling them to develop confidence in themselves as independent, enthusiastic life-long learners. It is our duty to foster an environment where children feel they are making a difference. We believe that when children take ownership and feel their voice is heard then there is a far greater commitment and desire for all to work together for a common good. At Two Mile Ash we provide a huge variety of opportunities for children to be heard. Indeed, it is what our philosophy has always been based on and underpins our every decision. Our values link to our ethos, and are embedded in the curriculum.
November 2023
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