| Here's
one lesson kids won't want to miss! |
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| Skateboarding
lessons have really taken off |
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Students at a Barnstaple school are the envy of youngsters elsewhere
in Devon - after skateboarding was included in PE lessons. |
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Skateboarding
has finally made it onto the school curriculum - at one Devon school
at least.
Now, enthusiasts at other schools across the county must be hoping
their teachers follow the example set by Pilton Community College
in Barnstaple.
The college has incorporated skateboarding into the school's PE lessons
- and, not surprisingly, it's been a popular decision!
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| The
lessons are helping skateboarders develop their skills |
At the
moment, it's only a trial period to see how the lessons go, but staff
argue that skateboarding is a sport, so should be included in PE.
For some students, this is the first time they've ever tried skateboarding
- including Tanya Murphy, who's now beginning to get the hang of it.
"At first it's kind of scary,
but as you carry on the lessons you progress and get better - and
you can do stuff apart from falling off,"
she said.
Joe Hatt is much more experienced when it comes to skateboarding,
and he says his parents are also supportive of the lessons.
"They
think it's brilliant. I do a magazine with a friend, and a video,
so it's an inspiration for me so they think it's good for me to carry
on.
I've
learned a lot in the lessons."
College teacher Wendy McQuillan believes
that although it's not a traditional sport, like football and rugby,
there's still a place for skateboarding in school PE lessons.
"For many of the students it's a sport they're trying for the
first time, so it's developing a lot of new skills," she said.
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| Skateboarding
on the streets isn't so popular with Barnstaple residents |
"And
for those who've done it before, they're developing a range of co-ordination
skills. And there's also the physical aspect of skateboarding."
It
makes a nice change for the teenagers to practice their sport in a
place where they're welcome.
Youngsters in Barnstaple have been using the redeveloped riverfront
area of the town for their sport - and have made themselves unpopular
with residents.
The skaters have now started a petition to try and get a skate park
in the town, which, they say, would keep everyone happy.
In the meantime, they're making the most of the lessons on offer at
school.
Article
first published: 11th November 2003
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