School of Sporting Success

Mr Spridgeon PE Subject Lead Keith Ferguson PE Subject Governor

Physical Activity is a ‘Birchwood Bolt’.

July 2022 - We are absolutely delighted to have been reaccredited with the Association for Physical Education Quality Mark with distinction, which we retain for another 3 years. Birchwood is the only school in the country to have received this level of recognition on three consecutive occasions!

The validator has highlighted the following reasons for the award:

The leadership and management of PE, School Sport and Physical Activity (PESSPA) are outstanding and exemplary
The commitment of Leadership Team and the whole school community towards PESSPA is excellent and continuous
Learning in, and through, the physical is at the core of the school curriculum and supports all other curricular areas
The support for all pupils and staff to ensure they can all be the best they can be is ‘lived’ every day and is to be celebrated
The attention to detail and quality in all aspects of PESSPA e.g. record keeping, tracking, planning and monitoring are exceptional and shared as ‘best practice’ beyond the school
The range, quality and relevance of PESSPA to ensure full access for all pupils are excellent
Pupils and staff talk highly about their experiences and share the importance of PESSPA and how it improves their physical health and mental well-being
The ongoing development and innovation of on-line PESSPA learning and participation during the school closures are excellent
PESSPA is definitely and explicitly at the heart of school life and there is a solid and continuous commitment to keep developing, improving and sharing.

SPORTING SUCCESS ACCOLADES

2015

School Games Gold Mark for PE provision
First primary school in Suffolk to be awarded the Association for Physical Education (AfPE) Quality Mark with distinction
Won Suffolk School of Sporting Excellence

2016

Retained its School Games Gold Mark for PE provision
Suffolk Sport case study video work (sharing our exemplary practice nationally)
School’s SLT take part in a roundtable discussion at 10 Downing Street with ministers regarding physical activity and tackling obesity

2017

Retained its School Games Gold Mark for PE provision
Mrs Davies won a National Rugby Hero Award
Won Suffolk School of Sporting Excellence
Subject Lead presents Birchwood’s PE Curriculum at the annual Suffolk Sport Regional Conference

2018

Won the County LTA Education Award for tennis provision
Mr Hough won LTA Coach of the Year
Retained its School Games Gold Mark
Reaccredited with the (AfPE) Quality Mark with distinction – the first Primary School in Suffolk to do so!

2019

Retained its School Games Gold Mark for PE provision and due to this sustained achievement over the previous 4 years has been upgraded to Platinum (one of two Suffolk Schools to achieve this accolade)!
Shortlisted again for ‘School of Sporting Excellence’

2020

Retained Platinum School Games Mark for PE provision
Awarded the School Games Virtual Award for support, commitment and engagement in virtual programmes

2021

Retained Platinum School Games Mark for PE provision

2022

Level 3 RHS Gardening Award
Royal Forestry Society Junior Jubilee Foresters Award
Retained AfPE Quality Mark with Distinction for the 3rd consecutive time (spanning 9 years) - first school in the country to do so!
Deep Dive OFSTED Inspection PE - Outstanding Provision

2023