Curriculum for Excellence
Addressing the needs of a Country of Physical
Underachievers
It is about time this country stood up and realised what it has created by neglecting for so many years the physical wellbeing of its children. How can we expect to have a healthy, fit, vibrant and successful nation built on 2 hrs (if their lucky) of PE a week, especially in this computer dominated society. We have few world class athletes, and those that are stars are brought down in flames – it’s not cool to be good - to celebrate athletic success and prowess!
Physical Activity has been disgustingly omitted from the curriculum over the years, its value greatly underestimated in ensuring the wellbeing of future generations. The value of Physical activity has been grossly underestimated in increasing kid’s performance in academic areas of the curriculum through aspects of increased alertness, amongst many others. Better body – Better mind! Physical Activity, especially linked with the Outdoors, an awareness of the environment and our impact on is now utterly essential.
My Honour’s degree dissertation was ‘The demise of Outdoor Education in Physical Education’ and it highlighted many failings of our Schools to reintroduce a vital aspect of learning that encompassed Physical Activity and the Environment (Outdoor Education). Outdoor Education not only looks closely at the world we live in but uses life changing, real activities that get up close to the wonders of nature and the elements, things which have to be experienced to be believed. In this day and age where the environment is at the fore what a mistake that omission has been on the most important generation of children who are now faced with planetary change and the next generation that will have to carry the burden of fixing or living with it.
Moving the World Forwards
As a Physical Education Teacher myself, I can see all the fundamental aims the new curriculum aspires towards shining throughout my sport. However, climbing is not just a sport, it’s a way of life, a way of experiencing the world and its elements through all the senses and an unbeatable way of visiting remote, exciting corners of the globe, interacting with different cultures and becoming very aware of yourself and place on the planet.
These Climbing walls are a gateway, a pathway from Grassroots to National Level Excellence and beyond, a reason (climbing) to discover amazing places and people and get closer to the environment that we live in and affect.
These Climbing Walls introduce a new world of success to children, physically, mentally and wholistically as they interact with the others in achieving Success and Excellence.
A Curriculum for Excellence aims to:
- focus classroom practice upon the child and around the four capacities of education:
- successful learners
- confident individuals
- responsible citizens
- effective contributors
In every one of these capacities and aims our walls and climbing can achieve and develop key elements of learning for excellence.
Soon to come on this website for the first time ever in climbing, I will educationally address each of the Four Capacities and aims with regards to our walls and climbing.