PULSE


played with smiles on their faces and there was an underlying theme of fair play and sportsmanship. The special school pupils experienced their first competition against more able children and the event was completed without incident. A lot of behavioural problems stem from frustration and sport plays a key role in helping release this emotion in a positive manner.


Increasing the competition level will also help improve the pupils’ concentration and focus which will hopefully cross over into the classroom. Although it is too early to tell, the teachers believe that this will greatly increase their confidence levels and will lead to better academic performance.


By giving these children the chance to take part in a mainstream competition (without the usual constraints) the school has really made a huge difference to them. Many of these children come from troubled families or are in foster care so to give


them the opportunity to take part in something ‘normal’ and giving them responsibility has more far outreaching consequences than just winning a trophy.


Making a difference


The competition has suggested that sport can make a difference to children’s lives both socially and in the classroom and the event has gone some way to dispelling the myth that behavioural problem schools should not compete against mainstream schools. There is now clear evidence to suggest fully inclusive competition is achievable between these types of


schools and sport can transcend any differences between children.


The Orchard School has always been a great believer in using sport to make a difference to their children but it was great to share this practice with the other special schools. A few of them were unsure of how to spend their funding but all went away with ideas on how they could now use it to help their own ‘whole school’ issues.


All of the other schools left with great memories and repeatedly asked if they could come back again. If there was any trepidation prior to the tournament, there was no evidence of any after it finished(as many asked


if they could have their pictures taken with the other schools and friendships were forged throughout the day).


Kent Sport and the Kent FA were thanked whole heartedly for helping make this event happen by the Head Teacher and the Governors of the Orchard School. They were truly impressed by how well their pupils behaved and seemed genuinely overjoyed with the whole day and it was a pleasure to be involved.


Report by: Tim Sells


Primary School Sport Premium Lead Kent Sport


The Kent & Medway School Sports Magazine 5


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