Walsall school launches partnership with Judo Centre of Excellence

A group of 27 pupils at the school on Broadway North have hit the mats to learn from some of the country’s best Judo trainers as part of a new addition to the school’s PE curriculum. Pupils are covering the fundamentals of the historic martial art, from basic self-defence techniques and safe falling to controlled movement and effective body positioning.

The world-class facility at Wolverhampton University’s Walsall Campus, less than two miles from the school on Broadway North, serves as a training hub for Olympic-level athletes as the national base for the British Judo Association.

The sport, practised worldwide by more than 50 million people according to the International Judo Federation, emphasises technique, control and respect rather than purely strength.

Alongside physical development and confidence-building, the programme supports Hydesville Tower School’s commitment to a broad and enriching PE curriculum, with partnerships with institutions like Wolverhampton University providing pupils with unique experiences to practise high calibre sport opportunities beyond the school environment.

The school, which is part of Blenheim Schools, a leading family of all-ability independent schools with a focus on high-quality education, is committed to promoting physical wellbeing, character development and aspiration, and has developed this provision with a strong emphasis on safety, discipline and respect.

Mr Berry, Head of PE at Hydesville Tower School, said: “We’ve been really excited to introduce our Year 9 pupils to Judo. This Olympic sport has its base at the Walsall university campus, so we are fortunate to be using the national centre and can regularly see some of the UK’s top performers.

“Judo is a superb martial art that is not only about developing our pupils’ fitness, but also boosts their confidence and teaches discipline, aligning with our mission to develop well-rounded learners. We look forward to having our first black belt awarded sometime in the future!”

Mrs Samra, Headteacher at Hydesville Tower School, added: “At Hydesville, we support every pupil to flourish academically, socially and personally. Introducing Judo into our PE curriculum gives our Year 9s the chance to build not only physical skills but also confidence, resilience and respect for themselves and others, qualities that reflect our core values and help them thrive in all areas of school life.”