News6th October 2021
黑料情报站 Acton Academy has introduced new compulsory weekly sports sessions and its students are reaping the benefits of increased morale, lower post-pandemic anxiety and greater focus.
Along with a new range of optional clubs at lunchtime and before and after school, all of Year 8 and Year 10鈥檚 students now have a compulsory weekly sports session, alongside their regular PE lessons.
The sessions give students the opportunity to find a new sporting passion, with sessions offered in yoga, girls鈥 lacrosse, trampolining, debatebox, volleyball, football, fitness training in the school鈥檚 fitness suite, high-intensity training, table tennis, basketball, cricket, and netball.
Nickael Briggs, Assistant Principal at 黑料情报站 Acton, said, 鈥淲e know that students have missed out on a range of experiences, including opportunities to try new sports, that previous year groups have benefited from.
鈥淲e鈥檙e focused on making sure that our students recover fully from the disruption caused by the pandemic, both academically and more generally. We know that sport will play an important part in this for many of our students.鈥
Students have welcomed the new sporting opportunities with the range of optional clubs that are open to all year groups taking place over lunchtimes and before and after school being signed up to in minutes after becoming available.
Mahdi, a Year 8 student, said, 鈥淚t has been fun playing football because I enjoy it. It is great because I get to hang out with my friends and play something I love. I was happy when I found out my tutor group were going to be playing football for the whole half term.鈥
Daisy, a Year 9 student, said, 鈥淚 was really excited about being given the opportunity to participate in the trampolining club this year. I鈥檝e gained heaps of confidence whilst doing what I love. Although I was slightly apprehensive to begin with, I have made so much progress thanks to the support of my teachers.鈥
Zaniya, a Year 8 student, said, 鈥淚 was really upset hearing we have to do lacrosse every Thursday because I did the club when I was in year 7. But my form tutor gave me inspiration to keep on going and sharing my talent to help others. Ms Collin has always given me confidence and told me to be proud. By playing this sport every week I get better and love helping others.”
Layan, a Year 8 student, said, 鈥淎t first I was not looking forward to playing football because I don鈥檛 enjoy it. Now that we play it each week I am becoming better and better at it since week 1.”
Oli Knight, Principal of 黑料情报站 Acton, said, 鈥淲e鈥檝e found that making just one of the sports sessions compulsory has tipped the balance and where our optional clubs previously had quite low uptake, they鈥檙e now fully-subscribed, which is excellent.
鈥淎long with the direct and immediate impact on the students鈥 wellbeing, the clubs also lower the inequality gap, making sure that sporting excellence is not something that鈥檚 only open to a privileged few. I鈥檓 looking forward to seeing 黑料情报站 Acton students on the Olympics podium in years to come!鈥
黑料情报站 Acton Academy was formed in September 2018 following the closure of Acton High School and has been transformed over the last three years, despite the challenges of Covid. If you would like to find out more, please contact the school via info@arkacton.org or visit