FEATURE FOCUS: TACKLING STUDENT OBESITY
Giving children a “Chance to Shine”
5 – 15, only 21% meet the Chief Medical Officers’ requirements of at least sixty minutes physical activity a day. Physical activity decreases with age and there is a significant difference between boys’ and girls’ levels - the decrease over time is more severe for girls (NHS Health Survey England, 2015). “Time and again, insight shows that basic
competence, confidence and enjoyment are the cornerstones of sustaining children’s participation in any sport and supporting a life-long active, and healthy, lifestyle. “The Chance to Shine charity has supported
many children to develop a positive attitude to cricket and develop confidence in their abilities. Since 2005, over 3.5 million children have had Chance to Shine coaching in state schools in England and Wales - in 2016/2017, 457,061 children experienced cricket (52% boys and 48% girls).
I
n our second feature this month looking at the rising levels of childhood obesity, and
the efforts of schools and the third sector to tackle this worrying trend, we speak to Vanessa Greene, Impact and Evaluation Manager at cricket charity Chance to Shine, who discusses the work the charity does in schools, and highlights some of the many benefits for children that playing the game of cricket can bring. “Most children do not meet the recommended
levels of physical activity, missing out on the benefits of a healthy, active lifestyle. National government data shows that of children aged
Positive experiences “In a 2017 survey of 1,050 teachers and 3,500 Chance to Shine Schools participants, we found that: • 83% of teachers surveyed agreed ‘pupils have gained greater confidence in their sporting abilities’ since Chance to Shine coaching;
• 73% agreed ‘Chance to Shine sessions engaged those less likely to join a school sport club or team’; and
• 72% agreed ‘those less likely to be physically active or play sport outside of school’. “Teachers also described how sessions were
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www.education-today.co.uk April 2018
inclusive of all abilities; that our coaches made conscious efforts to encourage those less confident to step up; and how the nature of cricket allows for different roles, and perhaps, different children to shine. “According to Mary Mangan, PE Leader at St.
Joseph’s Junior School in London and one of the primary school teachers who has been involved in the programme: ‘Cricket brought out different children than those who are the fast runners and get chosen for rugby and athletics. Those children
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