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Our School

ACE Active Week 2021 with Miss Wreford

ACE Active Week 2021 (28th June -2nd July)

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Lilly Wreford

Ahead of our ACE Active Week, we put Miss Wreford under our ACE Spotlight! to learn about Physical Education at Astley Primary and talk about our forthcoming ACE Active Week!

Miss Wreford is Astley’s Curriculum Lead for both Physical Education and History.


Please tell us how long have you been teaching and what lead you to becoming a teacher?

I have been teaching at Astley for four years and have always wanted to work with children. I went on work experience at an Infant School whilst in High School and carried on volunteering in school as I loved it so much. I went to Anglia Ruskin University and then completed my PGCE at the UEA, working at both Sheringham and Kelling Primary schools.


For Active Week last year we were in the middle of a partial re-opening of school due to the Covid-19 Lockdown. Some pupils were learning at home and some were learning face-to-face in school.

We held the ‘Sock Olympics', which was designed to be inclusion for social distancing in school and in class bubbles and for pupils to be able to participate at home. What have been the challenges of teaching Physical Education during the last year? 

Whilst there have been challenges created by the pandemic, not all these challenges have proved to be negative. Pupils have had support during Lockdown from resources such as 'Jasmine at Home,' Astley's Real P.E. online platform. We had Joe Wicks' P.E. providing pupils with daily fitness challenges and at the end of term we took part in our very own 'Sock Olympics' during Active Week, which we held as a nod to the postponed Tokyo Olympics.

SSP Dereham Partnership kept pupils busy with virtual challenges during lockdown. Astley staff were conscious that not every child at home would have all the equipment to take part, so challenges needed to be adapted and made as inclusive as possible, to help parents and pupils who were studying remotely. Most families were very active during the first Lockdown especially, when the weather was so good.

Of course, all shared equipment across 'bubbles' in school had to be cleaned regularly between use, therefore buying more resources for school such as balls, spots and cones helped to encourage physical activity and enable 'bubbles' to function and pupils to distance.


We have recently seen the return of sports activity clubs for class groups at Astley.  Why is P.E important now in Primary School and for pupils in their future?

Class Clubs have returned with the emphasis on outdoor activities wherever possible. Many of the clubs are sports activity based. Pupils have told me they've really missed their team sports such as Netball and Football. I'm hopeful that these will return in the Autumn. We will look to conduct a survey to hear our Astley pupil voice and look to cater to pupil's hopes, needs and choice for their After School Sports Clubs in future.


Pupils at Astley have been taking part in the daily mile, come rain or shine, for the last 2 years. Astley recently held a 'Day of Calm' in school with pupils taking part in yoga and mindfulness activities. In what ways do sports in school help with Well-being and Mental health?

The Daily Mile is a physical challenge that pupils take part in each day, but it also gives pupils what they call in school a 'brain break,' to pause, have a chance to talk to friends and focus on their well-being before returning to work in class. Our 'Day of Calm' was organised by the SSP Dereham Partnership and tied in with Astley's theme of 'Happy, Healthy, Active.' Pupil's happiness and well-being are very important to us and they loved this opportunity to learn different strategies in order to help keep calm and focused on their lessons. Staff have also gained helpful resources which they have since used in class.


As P.E Curriculum Lead, what sports do you enjoy teaching most in school?

I enjoy teaching Netball and Rounders because they involve team dynamics. I especially like the ethos of team play. I would like pupils to understand that you don't have to be the strongest or excel individually at any particular sport, but you can still make a valuable contribution to a team, where everyone's skills are drawn together to play to their collective strengths. Team-work makes the dream work!


What sports do you like to take part in or to follow?

I used to play a lot of Netball and I love to swim. My family enjoy to watch the Rugby and some family members do also play, so we all enjoy watching and following this sport. I'm fascinated to see more unusual sports planned for the Tokyo Olympics this summer, such as Skateboarding and Bouldering!


Explain to us what 'Real P.E' is and how P.E. supports other ACE Curriculum subjects?

'Real P.E' is a scheme of work which encompasses Creative, Personal, Cognitive, Social, Health and Fitness and Physical skills. It focuses on the Fundamentals such as balancing skills or catching skills but is also aligned with Cognitive 'Cogs' development to deliver a holistic approach to pupil development. Pupils are made aware of the reasoning behind their learning and there is equal emphasis on both Cognitive and Fundamental development.

In sports we all need to acquire the fundamental skills but Astley pupils learn to understand how they work in conjunction with other skills and therefore enjoy sports on many levels. For example, dance uses creative skills and games involve out-witting opponents. Pupils develop depth of understanding of the subject, that they are not only learning to challenge themselves or excel, but they are finding their own level on which to gain a rich enjoyment from their involvement in sports. Being challenged helps you to know what to work on and it also helps you to push yourself to find the next challenge, which links well with the ethos of Astley's ACE Curriculum.


What activities will be organised during Active Week for pupils across the school?

We are excited to say that pupils will have the opportunity to try a range of different activities and races on their Sports Day, such as Relay, Sprint, Obstacle, Egg and Spoon, Hurdles, Skipping and many more! In addition to their ACE Sports Day activities, pupils will also have the opportunity to enjoy 'House Team Rounders and a 'Water Extravaganza'!


Astley typically holds a Sports Day during Active Week that families are carers are invited to attend. Could you explain what will happen with Sports Day this year under the current Covid-19 restrictions?

We would have loved Astley's ACE Sports Day to have run as it usually does, but due to ongoing restrictions, we are planning Covid secure Sports Days. The events will look as much like a typical Astley Sports Day as possible. Pupils will compete, see their fellow pupils compete and be able to offer each other encouragement. Each child will be allowed one family member to watch them within their 'Super Bubble' designated area. This will help create a fantastic atmosphere for our pupils and a sense of normality that we will all appreciate!


If there could be just one thing that pupils learn from Active Week, what would you like it be?

I would love for pupils to feel 'Happy, Healthy and Active' and carry these values and ethos through to High School and further into their adult life. This would be fantastic, as we know that being active makes us happier!

Thank you, Miss Wreford, for taking time to explain what makes Astley P.E special and for sharing your insights under our ACE Spotlight!

Our Schools

Synergy Multi-Academy Trust comprises fifteen Norfolk schools serving children between the ages of 2 and 18. Our schools work collaboratively together to raise standards and provide education of the highest possible standard, offering the best of opportunities for pupils. The Trust was initially established in 2015. We believe that all of our schools have strengths and areas to develop, and that all can improve through sharing expertise and wisdom. The Trust understands that there will be excellent practice in each school, and that every school will be able to contribute to the development of the Trust as a whole.

Our Schools

Synergy Multi-Academy Trust comprises fifteen Norfolk schools serving children between the ages of 2 and 18. Our schools work collaboratively together to raise standards and provide education of the highest possible standard, offering the best of opportunities for pupils. The Trust was initially established in 2015. We believe that all of our schools have strengths and areas to develop, and that all can improve through sharing expertise and wisdom. The Trust understands that there will be excellent practice in each school, and that every school will be able to contribute to the development of the Trust as a whole.