As a parent, when it comes to choosing the right place for your child’s education, the priorities are clear. Your child deserves academic excellence, personal growth, wellbeing support and a learning environment which makes all of this possible.
Whilst grades and qualifications are the focus for many, one factor which sometimes flies under the radar is the importance of physical activity in schools. You might be surprised to learn just how tight a connection there is between exercise and learning, but at SISD it’s something we place great importance on.
In this blog, we’ll look into why movement matters for students and how we embed this into our culture, making SISD a great choice for families who want a real holistic education for their children.
Research shows students who have higher levels of physical activity tend to perform better when it comes to cognitive exercises, including things like memory, information retention and flexible thinking.
One study showed that children with higher levels of aerobic fitness exhibited superior academic performance over the course of a year, not just in terms of quality but also speed.
Another, which looked at pre-school age children, showed links between stronger cognitive function and respiratory fitness. Those who could walk further in a timed test also outperformed their peers in tests for brain function.
The research continues to stack up, including another study from the University of Tsukuba, making the findings clear – better physical health equals better cognitive performance! This means that the link between exercise and learning is not an anecdotal one, it’s one backed by multiple studies which show the importance of exercise in any quality, holistic curriculum.
When it comes to academic excellence, there is more to the equation than just pure cognition. A student’s ability to concentrate for extended periods, avoid distractions and process information more quickly can all contribute to vastly improved performance.
Exercise is also shown to be beneficial here, with studies showing that at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise led to significant improvements in young students’ abilities to focus and switch between cognitive tasks.
Regardless of intellect, if a student struggles to focus and stay free from distractions, performing well in an academic environment can be a challenge. As such, regular physical activity can help a student to achieve what they are capable of, whether that comes in the form of academic success or more active engagement.
Stepping away from academics for a moment, it’s no secret that regular physical activity is one of the most important parts of a happy, healthy life. At SISD, making this happen is always our biggest focus.
Better mood regulation, increased quality of sleep, more effective stress management and improved self-esteem are all hallmarks of an active, engaged young person. Not to mention that exercise is a fantastic way to burn some excess energy and help students to focus better in the classroom!
School is a formative experience for any child and one where habits are formed for life. The importance of setting students up with the foundations to lead a healthy life can’t be understated, which is why it is crucial to find a school which gives your child everything they need.
Physical activity can both improve their school performance and benefit them after they leave the classroom, for years to come. It’s not just a ‘nice-to-have’, it’s a core part of preparing them for life.
At SISD, we know that academic achievement and physical wellbeing go hand-in-hand. It’s built into the student experience, whether that’s in the form of structured physical education (PE), outdoor play, team sports or movement-based learning exercises.
Our physical activity offering is a comprehensive one and, we’d dare to say, one of the things our students love most about life at SISD.
For primary years, our students benefit from specialist PE teachers who deliver a wide range of sports (from swimming to gymnastics) in order to give a well-rounded perspective of the different forms of physical activity. We also host regular outdoor sessions in our purpose-designed facilities.
In secondary years, the options expand even further. Competitive sports, clubs and fitness programs are available to all students, allowing them more opportunities to enjoy the physical activities they are most passionate about.
Throughout their SISD journey, students recognise that physical activity is a lot more than just a slot in their timetable. It’s a huge part of their educational journey, one which allows them to develop skills, work as part of a team and stimulate their mind and body at the same time.
With these ambitions in mind, our campus was carefully designed to provide everything students might need for an active, engaging life at SISD.
Our campus has modern sports halls, fitness studios, swimming pools and outdoor fields and spaces – giving students more than a few ways to get active on any given day. We recognize that not every student enjoys the same activities or sports, so our facilities are built to encourage a wide range of options.
Whether it’s academic performance, physical activity, emotional intelligence or critical thinking, the SISD curriculum is designed to promote holistic development in every student. When you choose SISD, you choose a school which cares about building a positive framework for life, not just grades.
When you’re making a decision as important as where your child should go to school, it’s important to remember that what happens outside the classroom is just as important as what happens inside it. Regular, intentional physical activity supports more effective learning and cognitive ability, as well as overall wellbeing and happiness.
At SISD, and in any walk of life, movement is what keeps us going and helps us to thrive. We would love to welcome you and your family to our campus to discuss how your child can grow with us. Just reach out to our admissions team to book a tour or apply to join us.
Interested in finding out more about a holistic, active education at SISD? Contact us to learn more.
