Sports and Clubs
Athletics
Athletics club is an after school club that runs on a Wednesday from 3.05-4.00pm during the summer term. The club is open to all year groups. It is our largest after school club and in the past has had over 100 children taking part. The club is run by many volunteers from our teaching staff. The emphasis of the club is on fun and participation; children have the opportunity to try out many different athletic events. We enter a team into the local district athletic competitions in the track and field. The field event team is made up of children from Years 5 and 6, whereas the track team is children from all years.
Cross Country
Over the years Alderton has established very strong cross country teams. The pupils are very enthusiastic about running and they normally run throughout the year until the actual District Cross Country Championships which are usually held in April.
We normally enter both boys and girls teams in the event and are proud of the fact that we have been very successful throughout the years in this event.
Practices are held during lunchtimes on Tuesday and Thursdays, with different groups running on specific days.
Swimming
Swimming is part of the Years 4, 5 and 6 PE Curriculum. By the end of Year 6 the children should be able to swim 25 metres. They will have had at least a full school year´s worth of swimming. They swim once a week at the local Loughton pool during various times of the year.
Our school also participates in the local schools´ swimming gala made up of Year 5 and 6 pupils.
Gym Trail
For four mornings each week pupils meet in the hall before school for twenty minutes of exercise and learning new skills. Our aim is to improve pupils´ concentration, plus fine and gross motor skills. Classes begin with some brain gym exercises and move on to cross over exercises to get both sides of the brain working together. Pupils practise ball skills to help with hand to eye co-ordination and use gym equipment to help them with balance and core stability. Pupils also have a variety of puzzles and small games to assist with fine motor skills. These exercises have a calming effect on the pupils before school and enable them to concentrate to a higher degree in class.
Football
Football club is an after school club that runs on a Wednesday from 3.05-4.00pm during the autumn and spring terms. The club is open to Year 6 children. It is currently run by two volunteer parents who do a fantastic job - thank you!
The members of the club have the opportunity to learn how to play football and have the chance to represent the school team. We enter teams into the local league, cup and also take part in an annual Football Rally. We have been lucky to have successful teams in the past and look forward to the new season.
Netball
Netball Club is an after school club that runs on a Tuesday from 3.05-4.00pm during the autumn and spring terms. The club is open to Year 5 and 6 children and is run by Ms Minton. The members of the club have the opportunity to learn how to play netball, keep fit, have fun and also have the chance to join the school team. We enter an A and B team into the local league and also take part in an annual Netball Rally.
We have been lucky to have successful teams in the past and look forward to the new season.
Gardening Club
We created a garden with the help of Anna from ´Essex Wildlife Trust´ during our Science Week last year and were able to create a herb garden and a butterfly garden where we hope to encourage the habitats of many insects. We also put stepping stones in the garden for children to walk through and take a closer look at the plants that are growing there. The stepping stones are mosaics that were created during Art Week by each class.
We will be setting up a Garden Club soon and we hope to be able to buy some tools for the garden through donations and these will help us improve the school environment. Essex Wildlife Trust we also be visiting in the spring and summer term to continue building the garden.
Techie Club
Techie Club is an information club open to all pupils during one lunch time each week. Pupils can come and enjoy the extensive ICT facilities that our school has to offer. They may work on old favourites, explore new technology or catch up with class work. ´Techie Helpers´ from Year 6 are usually on hand to teach new skills or help when younger people are stuck.
Pupils are also involved in ´teaching the teachers´, when they demonstrate the extent of ICT in the school to trainee teachers from our local college.
Homework Club
This club takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 15:05 until 16:00.
Homework club provides a place for children to do their homework and to have a peaceful environment in which to complete work needing finishing off. There are two members of staff on hand to help them if they have difficulties. A drink and biscuit are provided as well.
We presently have over 25 pupils at homework club.