| Here's one lesson kids won't want to miss! | |
|  | | Skateboarding lessons have really taken off |
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Students at a Barnstaple school are the envy of youngsters elsewhere in Devon - after skateboarding was included in PE lessons. |
| | | Skateboarding has finally made it onto the school curriculum - at one Devon school at least.
Now, enthusiasts at other schools across the county must be hoping their teachers follow the example set by Pilton Community College in Barnstaple.
The college has incorporated skateboarding into the school's PE lessons - and, not surprisingly, it's been a popular decision!
 | | The lessons are helping skateboarders develop their skills |
At the moment, it's only a trial period to see how the lessons go, but staff argue that skateboarding is a sport, so should be included in PE.
For some students, this is the first time they've ever tried skateboarding - including Tanya Murphy, who's now beginning to get the hang of it.
"At first it's kind of scary, but as you carry on the lessons you progress and get better - and you can do stuff apart from falling off," she said.
Joe Hatt is much more experienced when it comes to skateboarding, and he says his parents are also supportive of the lessons.
"They think it's brilliant. I do a magazine with a friend, and a video, so it's an inspiration for me so they think it's good for me to carry on. I've learned a lot in the lessons."
College teacher Wendy McQuillan believes that although it's not a traditional sport, like football and rugby, there's still a place for skateboarding in school PE lessons.
"For many of the students it's a sport they're trying for the first time, so it's developing a lot of new skills," she said.
 | | Skateboarding on the streets isn't so popular with Barnstaple residents |
"And for those who've done it before, they're developing a range of co-ordination skills. And there's also the physical aspect of skateboarding."
It makes a nice change for the teenagers to practice their sport in a place where they're welcome.
Youngsters in Barnstaple have been using the redeveloped riverfront area of the town for their sport - and have made themselves unpopular with residents.
The skaters have now started a petition to try and get a skate park in the town, which, they say, would keep everyone happy.
In the meantime, they're making the most of the lessons on offer at school.
Article first published: 11th November 2003
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