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Cheerleading in Schools

Cheerleading is one of the fastest growing new activities to be introduced into the education system in recent years. It actively encourages and promotes regular exercise amongst male and female students both in primary and secondary education. Concerns with regard to levels of fitness and obesity in young people, has led to a new government initiative that states Cheerleading, amongst other activities, should be introduced into all primary and secondary schools in Britain.

Educational authorities are now realising both the educational and the health benefits of cheerleading and are working alongside the UKCA to employ coaches to work within the authorities to introduce cheerleading into schools.

Coaches and Area Representatives are working in Schools in numerous ways:

  • Providing workshops for teachers where they can be shown the Basic Skills needed to teach Cheerleading
  • Arranging local courses to let the teachers gain the relevant qualifications needed to set up a Cheerleading club
  • Working alongside teachers to teach within the curriculum. Cheerleading has been shown to motivate girls and boys of all ages when taught within the curriculum. Cheerleading can now also be used as part of a practical assessment in most GCSE syllabuses – Both dance and stunting.
  • Setting up and run extra-curricular cheerleading clubs
  • Being an advisory person if advice is needed.
  • Many of the Coaches working in schools also run teams in the community. This forms a good link for the students to move into teams outside the education system and improve school club links.
  • Both Primary and Secondary Schools are able to access UKCA coaching courses:
  • Leadership Award for students
  • Cheerleading Basic Skills
  • Cheerleading Basic Stunts
  • Cheerleading Intermediate Stunts
  • Street Cheer Basic Skills
  • Street Cheer Intermediate Skills
  • Workshops in:
  • Choreography
  • Skills
  • Running a Competition

Local Competitions and Festivals
There are also local festivals and competitions being run in many educational authorities where schools can compete at a level that is suitable to the group of students that you are working with. Further details of festivals and competitions can be found by contacting the representative in your area.

National Competitions
There is a pathway for schools that wish to compete. The National Schools Competition is held in the summer term each year in Manchester. The National schools competition allows Schools to showcase their skills and compete in a very friendly competition. There are three disciplines that are available to schools;-

  • Cheerleading (Stunting)
  • Pom Dance
  • Street Cheer

Schools can enter at the following age groups
KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5

See Rules & Regulations