NewS
Learning Through Sport
initiative hailed a success
by Dorothy Lepkowska
Sport is being used as a tool to
improve achievement in maths
and English, in a scheme being
developed by the University of
Worcester.
The programme, called Learning
Through Sport, incorporates ele-
ments of maths and English into
sports lessons, and encourages pupils
to use their numeracy and literacy
skills to make learning more fun.
For example, to introduce maths,
they might be asked to work out the
areas of sport pitches, figure out
how much sports equipment costs
when constrained by a budget, or
gather and present match statistics.
In English, they have to write up
match reports or carry out inter-
views with players.
The initiative has been pio-
neered by Mick Donovan, head of
Worcester’s Institute of Sport and and teaching fun for pupils and encourage young people to partici- a result of the scheme, and near- Sport is setting children up well stage 2 SATs results, so it is
Exercise Science, who got the idea teachers, rather than something to pate in sport, and it was hoped that ly three-quarters of participants to take on the demands of the important that pupils get the best
while helping his daughter revise dread.” the involvement of the university believed their skills in literacy and secondary curriculum, by giving results they possibly can. This
for her key stage 2 SATs tests. So far the scheme has been pilot- might make some consider higher numeracy had improved. A similar them confidence in their abilities provides a fun and engaging way
He said: “We started up a home- ed on pupils in year 6 in 10 primary education in the future. number of teachers said the pro- and filling in some of the gaps of doing so.”
work group where we did an hour schools. However, Mr Donovan An early analysis of the effec- gramme had had a positive effect they might have had, particularly in A pack containing two DVDs
of basketball and then some learn- said there were plans to roll it out at tiveness of the scheme has shown on pupils’ learning. their numeracy knowledge. and supporting materials is avail-
ing. Since then we have developed key stage 3 and beyond. that more than nine out of 10 pupils Mr Donovan added: “We “Many secondary schools able to schools at www.1st4sport.
a programme that makes learning He said a spin-off effect was to enjoyed revising for SATs more as believe that Learning Through set pupils according to their key com, or by calling 0113 2015555.
Schools eligible for
Report suggests computer games
efficiency loans
can aid learning in the classroom
Schools in England are eligible generator, and the money is
for more than £50 million of then paid back over four years. It would be natural to presume that Andy Urban-Smith, centre man-
interest free loans as part of However, it is hoped that the teenagers using computer games ager, told SecEd: “The computer
a government scheme to help cost of repayment will be cov- consoles are not staying fit and games are on top of the PE activity
public organisations cut their ered by the amount of cash saved testing their brains, but research they get as part of their curriculum,
energy bills. on outgoing energy bills. released this week begs to differ. but on a number of occasions the
The money, provided by With legislation such as the More than half of teachers are activities have inspired them to get
the Department for Energy and Climate Change Act and the considering using computer games involved in more sport outside of
Climate Change, and adminis- 2010 Kyoto agreement, pressure to aid learning, according to educa- school hours.
tered by Salix Finance, is avail- is being placed on the public sec- tion researchers Futurelab, while one “We had a boy who got involved
able to local authorities wishing tor to reduce its carbon footprint. school in the Cotswolds is using them in boxing after being introduced to
to invest in more energy-effi- The deadline for applications to boost students’ physical activity. it on the Nintendo, and a couple of
cient ways of powering their is Friday, October 9. The Futurelab report, Computer girls who are now looking to take
school buildings. For more information, visit Games, Schools and Young People, up tennis as a result of the computer
Each loan pays for schools www.salixfinance.co.uk/loans. claims that games should be treated games.”
to install a more effective power html like any other education resource. The school introduced the
Around 35 per cent of teachers games consoles after discovering
have already integrated them into that spent an average of 13 and a
Scottish independent
lessons, it says, while 60 per cent half hours a week playing compu-
are considering doing so. ter games.
Ben Williamson, senior research- To read the Futurelab report,
sector remains strong
er at Futurelab, said: “There is a lot and to download a poster with ideas
of hype around using games in the games are a part of many children’s ral unit in Slough, have been using for using games in the classroom,
classroom but the truth is there is no lives and so it is important that Nintendo Wiis to boost students’ visit www.futurelab.org.uk/resourc-
Exam results at Scotland’s private ment and hard work of pupils and need to treat them as separate from teachers take them seriously as an physical activity. es/publications-reports-articles/
schools have stayed roughly in line teachers. other resources. influential modern medium that can During break time, the school project-reports.
with last year, showing a slight rise “The outcome for pupils is an “Games can – and are – being support learning.” offers students the chance to “virtu- For information on the National
in the number of pupils achieving A entry to employment, further or used with the current curriculum Meanwhile, teachers at The ally” take part in sports that would Healthy Schools Programme, visit
grades at S5 and S6. higher education, with an opportu- effectively. Furthermore, computer Whitminster Centre, a pupil refer- not otherwise be available. www.healthyschools.gov.uk
This year, 87 per cent of can- nity to pursue their chosen careers,
didates at independent schools equipped with a portfolio of skills
achieved an A to C pass at Advanced for life and work beyond school.”
Higher, down from 88 per cent The pass rate at Standard Grade
Northern Irish schools celebrate record results
in 2008, while 91 per cent were was 99.8 per cent, barely changed
awarded a pass at Higher, up from from 99.7 per cent in 2008. Secondary schools in Northern Among them was Our Lady of Kevin Scally, principal at St a few years ago, and it has steadily
90 per cent. These figures compare with a Ireland, among them some inner Lourdes School, Ballymoney, where Joseph’s, said: “Some of our pupils grown in size.”
The number attaining an A state schools pass rate of 74 per cent city high schools, are celebrating 81 per cent of pupils achieved five come from a background where Caitriona Ruane, the North’s
grade at Advanced Higher rose by at Higher level, and 98.5 per cent record GCSE results. or more GCSEs at A* to C. they feel that they have failed at 11, education minister, says the excel-
one percentage point to 39 per cent, for Standard. Overall in the North, entries Dr Liam O’Cuinneagain, prin- yet we give them a sense that they lent results show the determination
and at Higher from 49 per cent to 50 Overall, one in four pupils at gaining grades A* to C grades cipal at the school, said: “Almost can be successful and contribute to of young people to work to the best
per cent, according to figures from state schools attained an A grade at increased by 0.6 per cent to 75.1 all of these particular year 12 pupils the better good of society. of their ability.
the Scottish Council of Independent Higher, whereas one in two did so per cent, while Northern Ireland received a D grade in the transfer “The downturn in employment “Teachers and parents have
Schools. at independent schools. students outperformed their English procedure, or opted out altogether, prospects mean many more young inspired and motivated our young
Judith Sischy, the organisation’s Pupils at the latter, who com- and Welsh peers. and most of them have achieved at people, particularly boys, want to people to work hard to achieve
director, said: “The independent prise about four per cent of Scottish Typically, grammar schools least five GCSEs at A* to C.” remain at school after the age of 16. these results and they should also
sector has started the school year schoolchildren, accounted for three enjoyed good performances, but St Joseph’s High School in “The success of our students this be congratulated for their hard work
in good heart, boosted by consist- per cent of total Standard entries, many secondary non-grammar Crossmaglen also achieved its best year at GCSE will result in a big and dedication,” she said.
ently strong exam results which eight per cent of Highers and 16 per schools also had students achieving ever results, with 66 per cent of stu- increase in the numbers in our sixth For more on UK GCSE results,
are a testament to the commit- cent of Advanced Highers. a string of top grades. dents gaining at least five Cs. form. We started offering A levels see page 6.
 SecEd • September 3 2009
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