In March the TWM Trust delivered the first 5Star 5Steps training sessions for primary schools in Allerdale and Copeland (with thanks to School Games Organisers Linda Borthwick and Ali Ashton) and to Wright Sport Services and as a result 33 schools have used the project in their PE lessons over the ensuing months. Feedback has been excellent. “A significant increase in children’s confidence in different sports”, from Lee-Anne Gibson at St Michael’s C of E School at Bothel, is one of the most gratifying comments, because the foundation skills of running, jumping, hurdling and throwing are indeed the foundation skills for all sport. Furthermore, if we have contributed to buIlding children’s confidence, well, we have contributed to ensuring that sport remains central to healthy and happy lives for those children. All achievement revolves around confidence, after all.
Non PE specialist teachers’ have found the resources really useful and easy to apply and children have enjoyed and been motivated by tracking their own personal improvement. Staff have also appreciated the easy to use recording forms. No problems with administration have been identified, which is pleasing because, as an ex PE teacher, Im fully aware that time is always in short supply. The good looking certificates have also been appreciated. Thanks go to Firpress of Workington for sorting this out for us (our original certificates, “designed” by me, were, it must be said, a bit underwhelming!)
THE THREE EVENT CHALLENGE DAYS
As a result of all this 16 schools took part in two special events – one at St Bees School for Copeland schools (4th July), and one at Copeland Stadium for Allerdale schools (8th July). Ali Ashton and her young leaders, volunteers from Seaton and Copeland Athletics Clubs, West Lakes Academy and the Allerdale School Sport Partnership (Chris Wright) all worked their socks of to make the events a resounding success. See the photo gallery for the evidence for this claim! On every child’s face there is concentration, commitment and enjoyment – and oodles of confidence – no more words needed!
SUGGESTIONS
For the feedback we also asked people to report any problems or suggested improvements – so here’s what we will be working on:- adjusting the sprint scoring tables to make it slightly more challenging and adding scores for a straight 50m run; coming up with a PDF that teachers can take into lessons to remind themselves of teaching points, the 5 Steps, mid lesson; and a different format for score sheets ie not A4 but, if possible, booklet form.
TALKING POINT
An interesting and possibly controversial point has arisen, that the throwing points scoring tables should be different for girls and boys. We know that gender difference in athletic performance does not show up significantly until puberty. We also know that puberty can now start in the primary age range. But it also may be true that even before puberty boys have more of an affinity with throwing than girls do. Should we acknowledge this by adjusting the score tables accoringly? Or would this be playing in to gender stereo-typing? I am asking various people for their views and we will be adding a Forum to this website to get your views too. GWENDA WARD