PE lessons are wii-ly good for youngsters at Northfleet Technology College
by Simon Tulett
stulett@thekmgroup.co.uk
Sport shy youngsters are being handed computer games to help
them fight the flab.
Frosty football pitches and rain-soaked rugby sessions are
becoming a thing of the past for some school fitness-phobes at
Northfleet Technology College.
Pupils reluctant to strap on their PE kit and take to the school
fields are being handed a computerised, interactive
alternative.
Instead of clashing with an opposing centre-forward, some students
are battling a television screen linked up to a Nintendo Wii games
console.
Staff at the Colyer Road secondary school say the equipment, which
allows youngsters to interact with the screen using wireless
controllers, is encouraging sport-shy children back to
exercise.
About 30 children from years seven to nine, aged 11 to 14, are
opting for the classes for two hours each week, with games ranging
from the Wii Sports package of tennis, bowling and baseball to Wii
Fit, a mix of balance, yoga and cardiovascular exercises.
Aaron Brown, the school's progress manager, said: "It's for
students disaffected from lessons. Generally the guys are slightly
overweight and not particularly good at PE.
"The whole idea is to get them invigorated and enjoying PE
again."
Students who opt for the six-week block away from regular PE
classes are split into groups of 16 using four Wii consoles, which
can cost up to £200 each. Youngsters take it in turns to use the
controls, which include remote handsets and a Wii board, while
others follow their movements.
Mr Brown said the school is also planning to introduce titles
like Mario and Sonic's Olympics and Wii Sports Resort to
lessons.
The approach has been slammed by the Campaign for Real
Education.
Its chairman, Nick Seaton, said: "This smacks of poor
discipline.
The teachers should ensure that their pupils are using their
abilities.
There's nothing better than competitive sports for stretching
achievement."
Mr Brown said many of the children in Wii classes failed to
bring their kit to regular PE lessons to avoid them.
"They weren't interested in enjoying PE," he said.
"If they are not involved in it at least they are getting
active. For some students school could be the last time they do
anything active."
The Government has spoken in support of the approach. A
spokesman from the Department for Children, Schools and Families
said: "There is a place for innovative approaches and providing a
broad range of activities as a means to an end - rather than
writing off children who are turned off by traditional sport."
Wednesday, November 04 2009
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