Within the Gorse Academies Trust we have ‘The Big 3’ which are Volleyball, Karate and Rowing. In September 2016, The Gorse Boat Club was founded, with the aim of offering students across the trust the opportunity to get involved in something completely different. Since its inception, the programme has seen hundreds of students across the trust following programmes of indoor rowing, attending competitions and extra-curricular rowing sessions. In addition to this, The Gorse Boat Club has given students the opportunity to try rowing on the water and to become a part of the squad, training throughout the year with the ultimate aim of competing in national competitions such as the British Junior Rowing Championships. To ensure that our students received the same exposure to rowing we decided upon having a ‘Rowing Week’ where all Core PE lessons were in the sports hall and led by Ciaran Longmore the trust rowing coach. Students looked at how powerful they were on the rowing machines, correct technique and had some races! Fun was had by all including staff who’s CPD was dedicated to rowing. The best rowers in each year group chosen by Mr Longmore received a £10 amazon voucher and a Gorse rowing T-shirt. The aim will be for selected students to access the Gorse boat house in the summer months. During this week rowing was a theme across all lessons, here is some excellent work that was produced in English based on the boat race.
