The Beckmead Moundwood Academy in Harlow has successfully transformed its extracurricular offerings, thanks to the Opening School Facilities (OSF) funding. With a mission to foster resilience, discipline, and improved physical and mental wellbeing, the academy has utilised the funding to provide high-quality, enriching sports activities that go beyond the classroom.
Through the funding, Beckmead Moundwood Academy have introduced Boxing, Football, and Gym sessions for students. The school has refurbished its gym with state of the art equipment, purchased new football goals, and invested in Boxing training equipment, enhancing its after school club offers. This has allowed the school to build connections with locally trusted organisations that now help deliver these activities, helping create environment for students to thrive.
The Beckmead Moundwood Academy serves as a Pupil Referral Unit (PRU), catering to students who may require alternative educational settings and additional needs. Through the newly built connections, Beckmead’s football offer has been supported by coaches from Brentwood Town FC, meaning the academy can now provide more structured extracurricular activities. These activities not only encourage physical fitness but also contribute to positive behaviour and social skills among the students. The boxing sessions, which are also led by an external club, have been particularly impactful om helping students develop their discipline, resilience, and confidence.
The OSF project at the school has significantly improved student engagement at Beckmead Moundwood Academy. PE Lead Ben Clark noted that before the introduction of these new sessions, the school often struggled with student attendance. However, the addition of activities like Boxing has motivated students to attend school regularly, providing them with a positive outlet to channel their energy and aggression.
The gym, now fitted with more modern equipment, offers students a constructive way to manage stress and regulate their emotions. Teachers have reported that students experiencing behavioural changes are now able to release their frustration through gym exercises, such as using the spin bike or lifting free weights. This alternative approach has resulted in a noticeable improvement in student behaviour and attendance, with PE Lead, Ben Clark explaining; “On some occasions we struggle with our pupil’s attendance. With sometimes only a couple of hours of lessons a day, we experience some students not attending school. However, with our new sessions such as Boxing, we have seen an increase in our attendance levels as many of our pupils are wanting to come in to school so they can participate in a Boxing session and therefore work on channelling their aggression, discipline and fitness levels”.
Moving forward, the academy aims to further invest in the development of its staff and ex-students by funding personal training and coaching courses. This will ensure that the gym remains a central hub of fitness and learning within the school. Additionally, they plan to connect with local grassroots football clubs by offering their football pitches for hire, generating income and creating even more opportunities for community engagement in Harlow.
Through the OSF funding and the project support from Active Essex, Beckmead have enabled themselves to exceed their role as a PRU and become a centre for collaboration, physical activity and behaviour change, providing students with the tools they need to succeed in and outside of school. The continued support from Active Essex and the positive relationships forged with local clubs will ensure that these activities have a lasting impact on the students and the wider community.
Beckmead Moundwood Academy PE Lead, Ben Clark, explained; “We are so thankful for the OSF funding. As a school, we have noticed the impact this program has had on our school’s attendance and behaviour throughout the day. Through the funded sports, our pupils can channel their aggression and help develop their behaviour skills. This funding has enabled us to build connections and provide PRU pupils an opportunity to be accepted and join clubs after school. We are so thankful and lucky to have been involved in this project.”
Tom Weller, Active Essex Senior Children and Young People Project Officer explained; Opening Schools Facilities has enabled Beckmead Moundwood Academy to be more than a PRU but an opportunity for collaboration with local clubs in providing positive sporting experiences and challenging the behaviours of their students.”
