By Clair Hill - October 30th, 2022 | Posted in Article

This term at Unified Academy students in KS3 and KS4 have been provided with the opportunity to develop their understanding of how to keep physically healthy through the sport of Boxing. Over the 6-week programme students have engaged in a weekly Boxing session delivered by an external ABA qualified coach and develop skills in endurance, stamina, flexibility, reaction time, agility and power. In addition to this, students have been developing their ability to memorize and perform multi-step drills, which require high levels of concentration, co-ordination and resilience. This term students have been studying the Boxers jab and looking at the mechanics of movement to execute a technically correct straight-arm punch. The recent curriculum change has enabled students to have more opportunities throughout the day to be active and recognise the value that sport can have on both physical and mental health.

Boxing has been a popular choice across both Key stages with many identifying its benefits to support them to develop strategies to aid emotional regulation.  Throughout the course of the term, students have been working towards achieving their AQA unit award in Memory Skills in Boxing and have supported one another to create, practice and perform extended combinations.  All students have worked together to achieve group outcomes and showed perseverance, determination and self-control when performing newly developed skills.

One Student in Year 10 informed the Schools Chair of Governors “Boxing has helped me when I start to feel angry or anxious it helps me calm down and release all my energy. I am good at boxing, so it makes me feel good inside I am not against anyone only my training and myself”