Raising your Threshold

Raising Your Threshold: Building Resilience and Growth Through Fencing and Life

At our Fencing Academy, we believe that real development goes far beyond simply mastering the sport. It’s about nurturing life skills that help our students succeed not only on the piste but in all areas of their school and personal lives. At the heart of this is the idea of raising your threshold a key part of our Academy Pathway Scheme and self discovery of 'Finding Your Edge' philosophy that guides our approach.

What does Raising Your Threshold mean?

In simple terms, it’s about increasing your ability to handle challenges, discomfort, and setbacks with resilience and confidence. It involves pushing past your comfort zone, taking responsibility for your actions and persevering through difficulties. These qualities; tolerance, accountability, and persistence, are the foundations of emotional strength and adaptability. They help our students become individuals who are ready to face life’s inevitable struggles, both in school and beyond.

Applying this to our Life Skills syllabus and the Academy Pathway

Our adapted "Life Skills" syllabus, built on the values of the Shield of Endeavour, intentionally includes challenges designed to stretch students’ limits. Whether in fencing sessions or competitions, we create situations that demand effort, strategic thinking, and resilience, elements that reflect real-life challenges. The environment we foster within our schools is safe but demanding, where effort is celebrated and setbacks are viewed as opportunities for growth.

This approach makes our athletes stand out from their peers in traditional school settings. We aim to do more than teach fencing techniques—we want to foster individuals with a resilient mindset, capable of navigating academic pressures and life’s hurdles with confidence. The environment we build is deliberately designed to go beyond the sport, preparing students to excel not just in fencing but in their future careers, relationships, and personal pursuits.

Empowering through partial knowledge

As coaches, we believe in giving students just enough information to help them develop autonomy and a genuine sense of achievement through their efforts. This approach encourages students to take ownership of their growth, understanding that success isn’t just about what they receive but about who they become through their efforts.

A powerful message

Success isn’t measured only by medals or trophies, it’s about resilience, character, and self-awareness. Our Academy’s values are rooted in helping students realise that facing challenges and pushing their limits are essential steps on the journey to becoming their best selves.

In summary, raising your threshold isn’t just a fencing concept,

it’s a vital life skill. Through our dedicated environment, coaching, and core values, we prepare our students to face the world with confidence, resilience, and a constant drive to grow. Because at our Academy, we believe it’s not just about the wins but about who you become because of the journey.