The British Judo Association has been collaborating with Lea Hall Academy, with the support of the B2022 Legacy fund, to deliver a judo programme to its students and after a successful trial period, the programme has been extended.

Lea Hall Academy is a primary and key stage 3 boys specialist school educating pupils from the ages of 5-14 in Birmingham. The children who attend Lea Hall Academy have an Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP) or a statement of Special Educational Need. The school specialises in educating boys who have Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs.

The academy is part of the Forward Education Trust, a family of specialist schools across the West Midlands. The trust aims to ensure that all children in their schools receive the best possible education, care and life chances. While Lea Hall Academy is an educational setting, the pupils’ wider personal ambitions and achievements are celebrated and encouraged through the individualised curriculum that the school delivers. The school curriculum model is adapted to the needs of the pupils that attend encouraging development and engagement when learning; this provides the opportunity for natural progression toward full participation within the National Curriculum framework.

Wayne McDonald, one of British Judo’s partner judo providers, has been delivering classes at Lea Hall Academy which support students in developing valuable interpersonal skills that can be transferred into personal life and the world of judo. The initial BJA-funded programme with Wayne is 10 sessions. After seeing the benefits of the programme, Lea Hall Academy arranged to fund further lessons to allow students to continue learning and developing their judo skills.

Chris McGrory, PE lead at Lea Hall Academy, has seen the benefits from the judo sessions that have been delivered to pupils, commenting:

 “Wayne has been providing sessions to all students at Lea Hall Academy. The sessions have been very engaging and have helped the pupils with some additional needs. It has provided a safe space to exert their energy whilst it being a controlled safe environment. Wayne the sensei is amazing with the pupils and has clear expectations and rules followed by students.”

It is fantastic to see the pupils’ determination and enjoyment whilst learning something new. After the success with Lea Hall Academy, the British Judo Association have agreed terms with the Academy to extend the programme delivery contract. Both British Judo and Lea Hall Academy hope the continuation of the partnership will encourage other settings to build similar relationships in the future, allowing us to grow our community further.

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