GTCT funding leads to meaningful impact on pupils of Abercanaid Community School
The power of cycling and the opportunity to participate has been evident at Abercanaid Community School, where Geraint Thomas Cycling Trust funding has enabled the purchase of bikes and helmets to provide regular sessions for children to take part.
The equipment has enabled children to take part in a range of cycling activities at different points throughout the school day, giving them valuable opportunities to develop their skills, confidence and enjoyment of cycling in a safe and supportive environment.
Included in these opportunities has been the launch of an after-school club, which has proved particularly successful.
“It’s had a significant impact on the pupils who have attended,” Bev Chilcott, Deputy Head, told us.
“The pupils have developed greater confidence in riding and controlling their bikes, and have improved important skills such as balance, coordination, steering and general road and cycle awareness.
“The new equipment has made a valuable contribution to both the physical wellbeing and personal development of our pupils.”
The after-school club has been attended weekly by 12 pupils, providing them with consistent access and the chance to develop their skills, confidence and enjoyment.
Additionally, the bikes are utilised at various points throughout the school day, allowing a total of around 60 pupils to feel the benefit as part of wider school activities.
“This has really helped to maximise the impact of the funding and ensure that they are being used regularly and effectively across the school,” said Bev.
“The project has had a particularly positive impact on several pupils who initially lacked confidence when cycling.”
This has been particularly true for some of the school’s girls, who were hesitant to take part fully because they were unsure of their own ability and were worried about losing their balance or falling.
“Through regular opportunities to practise in a safe, supportive and encouraging environment, though, their confidence has increased.
“The change in both attitude and confidence has been significant,” continued Bev. “Pupils who were initially reluctant to participate have become increasingly enthusiastic about cycling and are now much more willing to challenge themselves. As their skills have developed, so too has their enjoyment of cycling, and they’ve shown greater resilience and determination when faced with challenges.”
Epitomising the power of cycling, the impact has been enormous on several pupils, even boosting attendance figures for some.
“Many children have a passion for cycling, and the opportunity to participate in the after-school club has provided an important source of motivation and engagement,” Bev stated.
“Not only do the children engage positively with the cycling sessions, but they also then choose to remain in school beyond the end of the normal school day to participate in an extracurricular activity. For pupil who may struggle with school attendance and engagement, this represents a very positive development.
“Seeing the kids participate alongside each other, develop their cycling skills and enjoy being part of an extracurricular activity has been amazing!”
And the tangible impacts have gone beyond the school environment, too, with parents and carers commenting positively on the project and the difference it has made to their children.
“The noticeable difference we’ve heard is in relation to their willingness and confidence to use their own bikes outside of school,” explained Bev. “Several pupils are now more enthusiastic about cycling with their families which has helped to promote cycling not only as an enjoyable activity, but also as a healthy and active way for children and families to spend time together.”
The Geraint Thomas Cycling Trust is thrilled to hear of such great impact on young people, and is delighted to have been able to support through a grant.
“The funding has provided pupils with access to high-quality equipment and meaningful opportunities that may not otherwise have been available to them,” Bev said.
“The project has supported pupils’ confidence, resilience, independence, social participation and engagement with school,” she concluded, “while providing them with an activity that they can enjoy and feel successful in.”
If you are able, the GTCT would be hugely appreciative of any donation to ensure that we can continue enabling and supporting the kind of work that is making such an impact at Abercanaid Community School; donate here.
And in preparation for our next grant application window after the turn of the year, please find out more here.
