Another thing that has changed since Victorian times is sport. It has seemed for all time that we’d be stuck with the classics; as great as a game of football or tennis is, especially when accompanied by a pie and a pint or strawberries and champagne, there has been a transformation in sport with those like our dear bicycle riding coming to the fore. These pursuits, despite appearing to be very individual and unable to offer the same camaraderie benefits of team sports, do all breed great scenes and positive communities that offer so much to the youth that are making their way in life. Do something someone likes and they applaud you, want to learn it themselves and it brings people together.

It is with great joy that we can witness the revelation that sees a BMX track being built in the grounds of a school. You have indeed read that correctly. A school has taken this forthright decision and commitment. For years schools have been involved with bikes through Cycle Proficiency, more recently known as Bikeability; at Aldersley High School in Wolverhampton things were taken a step further with cycle maintenance courses and it was from here that plans grew. The vision of Pete Rollings, who was involved with the running of these courses, flowed over into his ambition to get proper facilities for riding built on the school grounds. His enthusiasm was key in aligning all the relevant parties. As can be easily imagined, it’s no easy task to secure a site and funding along with the blessings of all those involved and affected. The going was made a lot easier by Aldersely being such a forward–looking school. The last three years have seen exponential improvement as a result of the school embracing the concept of keeping kids active and involved. The idea of staying behind at school for another class would seem undesirable to many but here they have introduced an optional seventh period that takes place at the end of the day; 70% of pupils take part in this session where various sports and other activities are offered. The effect of ‘Period Seven’, as it is known, is nothing short of amazing, the pass rate in P.E. was about 10% three years ago, it is now 100%. These benefits aren’t just felt in the immediate area of P.E. Pass rates across all subjects have gone up since the introduction of these other activities; 30% three years ago, has now doubled to 60% and the positive attitude of the kids has been a major factor in this. It seems obvious that if the kids are better provided for then they will flourish, but actually putting in place what is required is no easy task and the school really should be applauded for their efforts and achievements.

Having a track of any description at a school is a blessing, there’s normally some rough ground to be found nearby for a few corners to be covertly scrubbed into, but here there is an outstanding, properly surfaced, four straight pumptrack with tarmac turns. And! The bigger brother, a full size, eight lane, regional standard BMX race track! Proper Bensink start gate and all. The school were looking for further funding to put in even more and seemed a little disappointed to not be able to go that step further, but disappointed is certainly not the emotion of the pupils here. As the Deputy Head Andy Grimshaw explains, “We were aware there was some funding from the local Primary Care Trust. We asked the pupils what they wanted and they said they’d rather a BMX track than another cycle facility. For the kids it’s fantastic, they watched it being built and they couldn’t wait to get on it.”