Woodham Academy P.E. Dept. Nominated for Sports Award

Woodham Academy is celebrating after its highly successful PE department has once again been nominated for a County Durham Sports award in the category of ‘Contribution to Secondary School Sport & Physical Activity’.
The PE department are proud of their contribution embracing the motto of ‘Achievement For All’, whilst striving to offer an inclusive curriculum that provides opportunities for students of all ability levels, in both team and individual activities.
Enjoying participation in sport is paramount and they look to develop  in each student a lifelong interest in being physically active and healthy.
The Academy has an eye for identifying talent and a number of students currently represent at District (Football, Basketball), County (Football, Basketball), National (Taek-wondo, Waterpolo, Basketball, Dance) and International (Waterpolo, American Football, Taekwondo) level. The staff from the PE Department willingly give up their time to nurture talent and 2013 has also seen the development of elite sport through Woodham Sports Academy.
This has been developed around nine sports; Swimming, Basketball, Table Tennis, Dance, Gymnastics, Football, American Football, Cricket and Softball. Students must attend trials and are selected into an Academy where they gain training and coaching by elite coaches, both from the department and through links with NGB clubs in the community.
Alongside their training commitments the students are bound by high academic standards and behaviour in school. Such has been the popularity of the Sports Academy that further expansion in 2013-14 is planned, with the inclusion of Waterpolo and Handball Academies.
The PE Department has high numbers of students taking exams in both GCSE PE and BTEC Sport at Key Stage 4, with excellent results in both. Recent results of 97% A*-C and 47% A*/A for students completing the GCSE PE qualification, reinforce the success of the department. There are also a range of Sports Leadership opportunities running throughout the year for students to be involved in.