Interview – Jessica Pearce, British Gymnastics
by Educate Magazine June 8, 2022 · Interviews / Latest Features
As schools partnership officer at British Gymnastics, Jesicca Pearce, recognises that educational settings have a huge responsibility in supporting the wellbeing and physical development of their pupils. British Gymnastics is proud to offer a Partner School Programme featuring a brand-new addition of an inclusive recreational gymnastics programme – Rise Gymnastics – which has been designed in conjunction with teachers and schools across the country.
England’s Physical Education National Curriculum lists gymnastics as a sport relevant across all stages of development. This is because it aids young people in co-ordination, flexibility, and strength – as well as helping them to enjoy communicating, collaborating, and competing with each other.
In March 2022, Ofsted published a comprehensive review of physical education and how it is taught in schools. Specifically, the report “highlights the importance of building firm foundations in fundamental motor skills, as well as providing pupils with high quality instruction, practise and feedback.”
Research by the Youth Sport Trust showed that taking a more active approach to teaching and learning in lessons other than PE increased academic progress by 74%, and children’s mental health by 86%. This is a clear indication that physical activity doesn’t just benefit pupils in a one-dimensional way – active learning practices can have a hugely positive impact and energises students to learn in a more creative way.
British Gymnastics is committed to supporting and upskilling teachers. Teachers know their pupils better than anyone, so it is focused on supporting education professionals in delivering whatever kind of sessions that will best benefit their class.
The Partner School Programme is designed to evolve and ensure relevance to the changing requirements of the National Curriculum.
It recognises how difficult it can be to keep up with an ever-changing set of requirements for educators to adhere to, but British Gymnastics supports schools in not only ensuring the national curriculum guidelines are covered, but cultivating a flexible and multi-faceted programme which achieves the core mission of all teachers – to passionately support the physical and academic development of young people.
www.british-gymnastics.org/schools for more information.
