At the Hedingham School in Halstead, a groundbreaking project aimed at increasing female student participation in fitness activities has been thriving thanks to support from the Opening Schools Facilities (OSF) funding. The girl’s fitness sessions focus on providing the female students at the school with a supportive and empowering environment to help girls build their confidence through physical activity.
The project was initially created to encourage more female students at the school to take part in different fitness activities. With a wide range of gym equipment available on sight, the sessions are tailored to meet the specific interests and fitness goals of those that attend. The attendees can choose their own workout routine, whether that be strength training, cardio sessions or a combination of both, making them as enjoyable as possible.
Healthy competition is encouraged through the programme through a whiteboard competition where students can track their progress and compete for top spots on different challenge leaderboards. This not only motivates the attendees but also provides them with a sense of accomplishment. One student that regualry attends the sessions couldn’t wait to tell her parents that she’d made one of the leaderboards, showcasing how these sessions help build the self-esteem of the girls.
The Hedingham Girls Fitness Sessions have been a hit among students, offering them a choice between gym workouts or cricket based activities. The regular after-school attendance at these sessions demonstrates how much the girls value this new and exciting opportunity. By creating a space for young women to come together, the project encourages mutual support amongst peers, helping strengthen the school community.
The OSF funded programme also breaks down the barriers to accessing sport and physical activity. For many of those that attend, luxuries like gym memberships are unaffordable, with age restrictions often limiting their ability to participate in local gyms and at local classes. This free, accessible way of getting fit removes those obstacles, providing a service for students who might otherwise miss out on these types of opportunities. One participant commented, “I can’t afford a gym membership, and many have a minimum age of 16, so it’s good that this is free and not age restricted.”
The funding provided by the OSF programme has been instrumental in the success of this innovative project, enabling Hedingham School to offer a wide range of equipment in a safe and welcoming space. David Sergeant, the Head of PE at Hedingham School, highlighted the significance of the funding: “This is a great space for students to come and use up their energy. It gets the kids off of the playground that might otherwise be getting in trouble.”
The project has had a positive effect on the students beyond just their physical wellbeing. Girls have reported feeling more confident, enjoying having a space where they can relieve stress, and strengthening their abilities in other sports through their gym workouts. The team at Active Essex has also played a crucial role in the project’s success, providing ongoing support and updates to ensure the initiative continues to grow.
The school plans to build on the resounding success of the Girls Fitness Sessions. There’s a clear sense that the project is just the beginning of a broader movement to engage students in physical activity and offer them opportunities for personal growth too. One teacher, a former Hedingham student, noted, “The gym has improved massively since I was here. There was just one multi-use gym unit, so only one or two people could use it at once. This is awesome as so many can take part simultaneously.”
The school aims to keep strengthening the programme, ensuring it remains an inclusive and supportive space for young women to thrive. With the continued collaboration between Hedingham School, Active Essex, and the wider community, the future looks bright for this initiative.
