The event was held at the Bedford International Athletic Stadium, with 16 schools and over 150 athletes competing. It was organised on behalf of Bedfordshire & Luton Schools’ Athletic Association by Senior Lecturer Mark Bowler and trainee Physical Education teachers from the University’s School of Teacher Education.

Mark Bowler said: “The event really showcases the talents and skills that our trainees learn on their course. The event gives them not only the chance to put practical and theoretical skills into practice, but to also meet and network with their potential future colleagues.”

“On the day they were professional, competent, but above all enthusiastic and I think that shows in the very complementary feedback that we got from the schools during and at the end of the event.”

The trainees were on hand recording results, officiating, organising the athletes and performing behind the scenes tasks like calculating the all-important results and announcing performances. The main officiating jobs include accurately measuring the distances, heights and times that the athletes achieved, which were then converted into points as per traditional combined events competitions.

Feedback from the trainee teachers was positive. They found the event to contribute positive learnings towards their education and teacher training development.

Trainee teacher, Kyle Lloyd-Jones said: “The idea of organising 200 plus pupils was quite daunting, however with everybody working collectively it all came together. I believe this event has given me relevant experience that will be helpful when I go into a school as a Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT).”

Mollie Brown, another trainee teacher who was involved in the event said: “It was a very useful experience to have before I enter the professional world. It’s given me a good insight into how much work goes into running an athletics event and how beneficial and enjoyable it can be for both staff and students.”

Congratulations to all the athletes and to the winning schools in each competition:

• Junior Girls - Lincroft Academy
• Junior Boys - Robert Bloomfield Academy
• Senior Girls - Samuel Whitbred Academy
• Senior Boys - Samuel Whitbred Academy

If you are within Bedfordshire and Luton and would like more information, or to express an interest for next year's event, please contact mark.bowler@beds.ac.uk.

If you are interested in studying the BA (Hons) Physical Education (Secondary) (with QTS) degree, or are a school interested in supporting trainee teachers on placements, please also get in touch.