RECREATIONAL ASSESSMENT WEEKS POLICY

SAADI Gymnastics, like many clubs, have chosen to assess the gymnasts on a termly basis. This means they have the opportunity to gain 3 levels each year.

BEFORE THE ASSESSMENT WEEK - SHAPING THE NARATIVE

We want our assessment weeks to be fun and enjoyable for the gymnasts but recognise that some children may be worried about them. As adults we need to do everything we can to minimise this and to manage their expectations. Our coaches will be trying to make the 2 weeks as fun as possible and for many it won’t feel too different from a normal session. We will be encouraging and give them every opportunity to perform the skill to the best of their ability. If they can’t do it, that’s ok! They can have another go next time or even attend one of our Booster sessions to get it signed off. If your child can not make one of the assessment sessions we will also be holding additional testing days during holidays.

DURING THE ASSESSMENT

The 2 assessment weeks will run in the same way as our normal classes. The children will rotate around 3 pieces each week. Our coaches will not discuss results in front of the child or the parent on the day because the results need to be collated. Please make your children aware that they will not know how they have done until the week after the assessments so that we can manage their expectations!

AFTER THE ASSESSMENT

It will take us a week to collate all the results but by the gymnast’s next session we will be able to update their books and notify them if they passed the level. If they haven’t they will likely have passed certain pieces which will be stamped and discussed positively with the child.

Medals will be available to purchase at this point. We have 17 Levels and 6 Piece medals to collect so more than enough to see your gymnast through their journey with us!

MANAGING EXPECTATIONS

At such a young age it may upset some children if they haven’t received a medal but it should never feel like they have failed. We adults control this narrative and have a joint responsibility to make sure this is managed correctly. As a club we take this extremely seriously and SAADI is one of the first clubs nationally to have teamed up with Working With Parents in Sport to help develop a positive culture. Our Think twice Awards are unique to us and indeed the industry as far as we are aware. As explained we are also providing a few ways that they can either catch up on skills not passed or be re-assed.

FEEDBACK AND CODE OF CONDUCT

Whilst we don’t expect push back, the nature of our business means that parents may not agree with our coach’s decision. Our coaches will not be providing individual feedback and their decision is always final. We will consider any attempt to undermine the decision as a breach of our Parental Code of Conduct.