Physical Education

The importance of physical education

Physical Education develops pupils’ physical competence and confidence, and their ability to use these to perform in a range of activities. It promotes physical skilfulness, physical development and knowledge of the body in action. Physical education provides opportunities for the pupils to be creative, competitive and to face up to different challenges as individuals and in groups and teams. It promotes positive attitudes towards active and healthy lifestyles.

Pupils learn how to think in different ways to suit a wide variety of creative, competitive and challenging activities. They learn how to plan, perform and evaluate actions, ideas and performances to improve their quality and effectiveness. Through this process pupils discover their aptitudes, abilities and preferences, and make choices about how to get involved in lifelong activity. -The National Curriculum.

Resources at Dove House

At Dove House we are one of the best equipped schools of its size in Basingstoke. We have our own floodlit astro turf pitch, a purpose built cricket strip, a new fitness suite and a number of basketball and mini tennis courts.

We have three fully trained PE staff within the Department, with several other members of staff holding PE qualifications. We pride ourselves on our ability to ensure that everybody has a positive experience in PE, with activities that are adapted to suit individual needs. We strongly believe in fairness and encourage pupils to develop the essential skills required to work successfully with others. Through these enjoyable opportunities, we hope that all pupils will chose to adopt a healthy lifestyle when they leave us in Year 11.

Activities offered at Dove House

The National Curriculum lies at the heart of our curriculum planning, with all pupils being entitled to a broad and balanced curriculum. The Government believes that every child should receive two hours of quality physical activity a week, including lesson time and extra-curricular clubs. At Dove House, we fully recognise the importance of this standard with every pupil receiving this entitlement.

These are the activities that any pupil at the school will participate in whilst at Dove House School.

Basketball
Hockey
Health related fitness
Cross-country
Football
Volleyball
Athletics
Tennis
Rounders
Dance
Gymnastics
Orienteering

At Dove House we also have our very own swimming teacher. Pupils will have an opportunity in both Key Stage 3 and 4 to learn and improve their swimming skills at the local sports centre. In addition to these core activities, pupils may also have the opportunity to try tag rugby, netball and golf in Friday Options.

We believe that ……

Our PE programme enables pupils of any ability to enjoy sports. We strongly encourage everybody to perform to the best of their ability and better their own personal performances against previous results. Pupils are rewarded for their attitude, awareness of others and their appliance to the codes of conduct of the sport and of the school. Through PE we hope to promote communication skills, application of number, working with others, problem solving and the enable pupils to develop skills to improve learning and performance.

Extra Curricular Activities

Inter House Sport

Inter House competitions are reguarly held at lunch times. Pupil's can choose to represent the House team in a number of different sporting activities. The competitions are organised by Key Stage Four pupils following the Sports Leaders Award scheme. All pupils enjoy either participating or watching their teams perform to the best of their ability. Dove House School also holds both a Rounders Day and a Sports Day in the summer term, whereby all pupils participate to score points for their House.

School Clubs

In addition to sports being offered in curriculum time, pupils also get the chance to further their interest at lunch time and at after school clubs. A number of coaches work with the Department to offer a wide range of sports including Reading Rockets Basketball Club, Totally Tennis, Basingstoke Rugby Club, Hook and Newnham Cricket Club, and both Southampton and Basingstoke Football clubs. Each of these clubs working closely with the school on a regular basis. Dove House School is also actively involved with the Brighton Hill School Sports Partnership which entitles pupils to attend the more unusual sports clubs held at the school. For example, fencing, Tae Kwon Do and Table Tennis to name but a few. Dove House School recognises the benefits that outdoor and adventurous activities can bring to learning both regards to personal development and in the awareness of safety. Skiing has been a popular club over the last few years, whereby a group of pupils, often experiencing the activity for the first time, attend short courses at Aldershot Alpine Ski Slope. Pupils also attend Calshot Activity Centre our County residential centre.

Fixtures

Fixtures are held regularly against other special schools in the county and mainstream schools within the Brighton Hill School Sports Partnership. Pupils get the chance to represent the school in a wide range of sports, including cricket, rounders, basketball, football, badminton, netball, athletics, cross-country and tennis. The Hampshire Parallel Games and Hampshire Swimming Gala are annual events that we always enjoy and experience a great team spirit. A Dance Festival is also held each year for the Partnership school’s which Key stage 3 pupils have the opportunity to perform in.

County Success

The Boys U16 Football team became County Champions in 2007. Both the Cricket and Netball teams have had continued success in the County League set-up, finishing Champions on a number of occasions. The school Athletics team won Gold at the Hampshire Parallel Games in 2003.

We also boast a number of individual successes in the sports department. We have had a number of pupils making selection for County teams. In 2007 we have had pupils representing Hampshire in Cricket, both Girls and Boys football, netball and swimming. One pupil attended England U17 football trials. One pupil got short listed for the County Sport Personality of the Year, coming runner up.

Community Clubs

We encourage pupils to join appropriate clubs outside of school. Ludwig Leisure Football Team and Blue Fins swimming in partnership with the school, have established training sessions and fixtures primarily for pupils attending Dove House, and have seen pupils fully integrated into Hook and Newnham Colt Cricket Club and a number of local girl and boy’s Football clubs.

Accreditation

As of 2006, pupils will take a recognised accreditation at the end of Year 11. These may include:
AQA Entry Level PE
Sports Leaders Award Level One

In 2006, 5 pupils achieved Level 3 and 5 pupils achieved Level 2 in their entry Level. (level 3 being the highest)

Primary Scool Links

For the last two years Dove House School has hosted a Tennis Festival, inviting our Feeder schools. THis is a unique opportunity for the KS2 pupils to both experience PE on purpose built tennis courts and also for KS4 pupils to practice their Leadership skills. The event is always very successful with everybody thoroughly enjoying the day.