PE

Physical Education at Abraham Darby Academy covers a wide range of activities, including athletics, badminton, basketball, cricket, cross country, football, gymnastics, health and fitness, netball, rounders, rugby, softball, swimming and tennis, aimed at exposing students to different forms of exercise and sport. The PE Department consists of five full time members of staff enthusiastically supported by members of other departments. Physical Education is regarded as an important subject within the Academy, and focuses on educating students through a variety of physical activities. Students learn social skills through sports and are taught the importance of teamwork. They will learn to co-operate and demonstrate their ability to take responsibility Students learn many cross transferable skills which are beneficial in other subjects and in wider life.

Physical Education is also a priority due to its wider role in educating students of the benefits of a healthy life. Physical Education at Abraham Darby will aid students to maintain a basic level of fitness and to understand how exercise promotes good health.

Physical Education is taught in single sex groups. All students follow a set programme of Physical Education at Key Stage 3 and are given a choice of activities during Key Stage 4. All groups are mixed ability groups allowing students to help and advise each other in their development. Students are taught in half year groups, which allows students to participate in team sports where greater numbers are required.

Students can choose to study BTEC Sport at Key Stage 4 and A Level Physical Education in the Sixth Form. Both options allow students to further their sporting knowledge through practical and theory lessons. The courses are ideal for those who enoy sport and are thinking of a sports related career.

 Two members of the PE Department are School Sports Coordinators for local Primary Schools. The aim here is to help Primary Schools to broaden and enhance the range of PE and Sport they are able to offer. Academy students who undertake the Sports Leaders Award are able to work alongside Primary School teachers to help provide high quality PE and Sport, providing the students yet another opportunity to take responsibility and develop their leadership and sporting skills.

The Physical Education Department has the following core aims:-

• To offer a variety of modules allowing students to experience a broad range of individual and team activities.
• To ensure all students can access and experience success in PE and Sport regardless of ability.
• To instil in students a sense of the importance of leading an active and healthy lifestyle; to encourage them to have a positive attitude to sport and exercise.
• To allow students to work in both co-operative and competitive situations and demonstrate the importance of fair play, sportsmanship and etiquette.
• To develop students basic abilities and show them how to improve themselves and their peers through knowledge of performance and feedback.
• To ensure students enjoy sport and exercise, encouraging them to seek sporting leisure opportunities for life long learning.

Extra Curricular Sport

Abraham Darby enjoys a strong reputation for sport within Telford and Wrekin, and Shropshire. Students have represented the County and beyond in a variety of sports including athletics, badminton, basketball, cross country, golf, netball, rugby, soccer and tennis.

The Academy has received the Sportsmark Award from Sport England and the Charter Standard Schools Award from the Football Association in recognition of the importance placed on physical exercise and its many benefits not merely for the gifted sportsmen and women but for all students.

The Academy promotes physical activity as healthy and enjoyable, encouraging team work, developing individual responsibility and leadership skills, promoting values, building confidence and promoting fitness.

 Team and individual sports are catered for by a team of experienced and dedicated professionals, ably supported by a range of other teachers and support staff. Furthermore the spirit of healthy competition is fostered through both inter school fixtures for the more able and internally through inter house competition, and clubs and societies, for all.

We also benefit from being a Haberdashers Academy by being able to participate in a variety of sporting competitions which take place between the Haberdashers Family of Schools.