Gareth’s #frideday feature

- what’s your current teaching position/subject?

Currently Director of Sport in a small school in the Peak District.

- what’s your current focus in education?

We run a platform called Functional Movement Screening in the department with a view to get inactive pupils more engaged in PE and Sport. Each pupils gets their own training/exercise plan to work on. After two years we are seeing an increase in pupils participation in extra curricular sporting activities, their motivation and physical wellbeing is improving. With this comes the positive knock on to time to change and time spent being active and learning.

- how does riding help you?

Mentally riding gives me a chance to reset and recharge for the week ahead. It also gives me a chance to be in nature.

- why did you apply to be an ambassador/what would you like to do as an ambassador?

I want to get people active in my school community. Recently I was put up for a school charity auction and raised over £200. I’ll be leading our pupils and parents for a social ride in the coming weeks

- what do you think is special about TCC?

Being part of a bigger community has helped me meet new people and develop links with colleagues in schools around the world. Sometimes sharing pedagogical ideas, but mostly really good rides and inspiration.

- what are your current bike(s)?

Cube Agree SLT

Cube Attain - workhorse and turbo bike.

Trek Fuel - Mountain bike, giving me access to new routes that I couldn’t get to on my road bike!

- what’s your best cycling achievement or memory?

World amateur championships in 2017, cycling London to Paris in less than 24 hours was a real highlight too! However, recently being out on my mtb with my brother and colleagues (and their e-bikes) and trying something new with the odd jump here and there!

- what’s your best teaching achievement or memory?

Seeing pupils who I have taken to track and Cyclo cross activities continue these when they leave school