New Addington School gets a special visit from fitness celebrity Joe Wicks

Joe Wicks visited a primary school in New Addington as part of his UK Schools Tour.

Joe Wicks, famous for getting the country moving during the Covid lockdowns with his ‘PE with Joe’ YouTube videos, visited Tudor Academy to encourage the mental and physical benefits of movement and exercise.

Tudor Academy was one of a handful of schools selected from 17,000 applications across the country to be part of the tournament.

Wicks was greeted at the school’s entrance by current Prime Minister Elizabeth, the school’s past and present Equalities Ministers Myla and Shalis, and one of the school’s football stars, George.

Wicks then led the entire student body and each staff member through a series of fun and interactive workouts, emphasizing the importance of staying active and making fitness enjoyable.

From high-energy cardio routines to strength-building exercises, Wicks has proven that getting fit can be both accessible and exciting for people of all ages.

The students were delighted when Wicks led the active session on the school grounds and brought flags and banners they had made to celebrate and express their excitement.

Beyond the physical aspects, Wicks also shared invaluable insights into mental well-being in a Q&A that followed the workout.

Student representatives from Reception to Year 6 asked Wicks questions about his approach to fitness, what is important to him now and how he became a fitness instructor.

The day came after a number of outstanding sporting achievements at Tudor Academy, including the Year 5 and 6 football team winning the FA Croydon School Football League for New Addington and the Year 4, 5 and 6 mixed basketball team winning won the round in the first annual iBall Croydon basketball competition, receiving silver medals in the final.

Joe Wicks, fitness trainer and presenter, said: “School tours are the highlight of my year and visiting Tudor Academy was absolutely fantastic.

“It was great to see all the students engaged and happy to be moving and learning about the benefits of physical activity.

“I have seen first-hand the academy’s dedication to supporting its students to make healthy choices.

“Thank you to Donna Rochford and all the students at Tudor Academy for the warm welcome and asking me such great questions on a very memorable day.”

Donna Rochford, Headteacher at Tudor Academy, said: “It was a privilege to host Joe Wicks at our school to experience his dynamic approach to physical activity.

“The whole school community was delighted to be one of the few schools chosen to be part of the tour, one pupil told me she was so happy on the day she could cry.

“We are committed to ensuring our students lead happy and healthy lives, which is why sport and physical activity are such important elements of our school life.

“I hope our students will continue to be inspired by Joe and his positive and inclusive attitude to exercise and movement.

“Thank you Joe for an unforgettable day at Tudor Academy.”