On Thursday 16 May 2019 Miss Smith and Mr Bellamy took 34  Year 10 GCSE PE pupils to the University of Bath for a full day to help support their revision.

Leaving Cirencester Deer Park School at 9am, we arrived at the University of Bath at 10.30 and met our lead Sports Scientist for the day. Walking across the campus, pupils could get a feel for the campus and help to understand how a university is set up, although the site was pretty quiet as students were in their Finals.

In one of the lecture theatres our pupils learnt more about university life at Bath and the sports facilities on offer. Some of our young people are starting to think about the range of sporting careers that might be available to them and the different directions in which they could go.

We looked at individual differences in relation to sport and fitness components. These topics need to be understood for their exam and a lot of practical examples were given that they can use in their answers. Pupils also had a Q&A with GB Skeleton athlete Amelia Coltman; they were praised for asking excellent questions.

After a walk back across the campus in the sunshine, the pupils were given an hour for lunch in the Sports Canteen overlooking the athletics track. During this time pupils were able to watch athletes of all standards, from public members to national athletes.

For the afternoon, our pupils were split into two groups, and swapped half way through.

One group did a tour looking at all the sporting facilities and the way that sports facilities can be adapted for other sports. According to Amber D, it was inspiring to see the Hall of Fame and all the achievements of the University alumni.

The other group did Fitness Testing at the indoor athletics track. The tests included Sit and Reach, Sprint Test, Counter Movement Jump, Yo Yo Test (like Bleep Test), Grip Test (testing both right and left side) and Agility Run (testing both right and left side).

Dan W enjoyed the Yo-Yo test, scoring level 18.1, exceptional for someone his age. He said: "Please can we get this test at school.” Ella K commented: “I enjoyed seeing the whole campus and all they have to offer. The sports facilities were excellent and I enjoyed running around the track.”

Overall the trip was a great success and we hope that our Year 10s will be able to refer back to this trip when in their GCSE exams next Summer; the experience should help support their answers. Our thanks to the University of Bath.