Further Education students at Writtle College have helped organise a workshop for primary schoolchildren with a talent for sport.
The Level 2 Diploma in Sport students worked with Chelmsford School Sport Partnership - which runs and organises PE lessons, sports training and competitions in the Chelmsford area – to organise Little Stars, a camp for gifted and talented year two pupils.
The six-year-olds from schools all over Chelmsford came to the College yesterday (Wednesday 21 May) for a taster of rugby, golf, squash, tennis and agility which developed their skills and built their confidence. The Writtle College students led activities based around agility, throwing, catching, passing and moving.
Robert Shields, Course Manager for the Level 2 Diploma in Sport at Writtle College, said: “The Writtle College students are studying a unit about leading sports activities so this gives them the opportunity to gain practical experience of coaching and teaching, which many of them will go into after studying at Writtle College.”
Matthew Holden, 16, from Great Dunmow, was one of the Writtle College students leading the sessions. He said: “This gives us the opportunity to show the younger children the sports that we enjoy playing. I have played rugby since I was their age, and still do in Saffron Walden. It really helps when you enjoy playing the sport that you are going to teach.
“The day has been really beneficial for the students here who want to get into coaching or teaching. I want to be a personal trainer after I leave Writtle College so being able to motivate and inspire a six-year-old is great experience for that!”
Tracey Wilson, year two teacher at Writtle Infant School, said: “This is great for the children as it gives them the chance to meet other children who have similar interests, builds their confidence and encourages them to try other sports. The Writtle College students have been really good with them; they’ve been supportive, have given them ways to simplify the sport and challenged them.”