We have been running the Boxercise Instructor Course at Grove for the last three years. Our main aim initially was to train a small group of PE teachers at the school so that we could run lunchtime clubs for groups of SEN students with an initial focus on those students with behavioural issues, especially anger management. We found the students benefited significantly from the discipline, respect and physical outlet that the Boxercise provided. The greatest impact was the boost in self confidence that the students attained. As none of them were part of a school sports team, the group enabled them to feel part of a team and experience all the social benefits that this brings.
In order to build on the success of the initial programme, we have since trained TAs and Cover Supervisors so that the sessions can occur more frequently. By having a breadth of trained staff across the school, sessions for SEN students can now happen when they are needed, and not just at lunchtime. Just recently we had a situation where a student's anger had been intercepted, redirected and diffused by a quick thinking TA who had taken the student straight to the gym to use the pads and gloves. Ordinarily if this intervention hadn't happened then that situation could have escalated, resulting in an aggressive outburst and possible exclusion for the child. Instead, the student was able to rejoin afternoon lessons. But why? Because it just so happened that the TA in that lesson had attended the training.
This year we have also started to train some of our Yr13 A-level/OCR National PE students, for CPD purposes, but also so that they can fulfill the schools whole school approach to learning. The students upon receiving their qualification are asked to volunteer during some of their lunchtimes to either lead or assist with the Boxercise clubs. This not only provides the students taking part with positive role models, but provides the 6th former with an excellent qualification for their CV as well as supporting the completion of other extra-curricular qualifications they may be doing such as CSLA or D of E. We also use the qualification as supporting evidence for some of our vocational sports courses that we run at Grove, which the students love because it means less writing and more practical!
Boxercise as a company has very much helped to facilitate what we are trying to achieve here at Grove. It has been flexible with the organisation and tailored delivery of the course to suit our school day, as well as the price, helping to make it affordable for both staff and students. The team at Boxercise head office are efficient and quick to help if ever we have a problem. Super staff, super people, I couldn't recommend them enough. In fact I do, regularly!
- James Granger, Grove School, Market Drayton