Your recipe for success

Reaching Potential

Introducing a new sport concept to engage wider groups of students which helps them to reach their potential through activity

Contact Details

School Name Streetly Sports College Partnership Name Streetly Sports Partnership Contact Name Glen Jones Address 1-3 the Courtyard, Calvin Street, Bolton, Postcode BL1 8PB Telephone 0845 869 2848 Email info@cyber-coach.co.uk Website www.cyber-coach.co.uk

The Challenge We were noticing some disaffection with traditional team sports by some of our Upper School Girls. At Streetly School there was a group of about 15-20 girls, mainly in years 10 and 11, who did not like the main team sports that were held outside. They would not bring in their P.E. kit and would bring in notes to excuse them from lessons. This problem was replicated across three other schools. We noticed a similar problem with pupils from a girls’ grammar school who had to travel offsite by coach to play sports at a nearby boys’ school. The Asian girls in particular were very self conscious about wearing the P.E. kit in front of the boys. It was apparent we needed to find something new that would appeal to these groups and that could be used onsite at the school. We also needed to target some of the boys due to disaffection. In particular there was a very low ability group that were hindered substantially because they did not possess the physical fitness and social skills of their peers. It was essential that we found something that would alleviate the problems they were experiencing, help them feel less pressurised to achieve, and enable them to work at their own level. We were looking for something they could enjoy succeeding in and improve on their grades. They needed a new initiative to re-engage them with PE lessons. ‘The Cyber Coach system was seen as being ideal. As well as being new and different, it could be used onsite at our schools and it would give both the boys and the girls more ownership and control over their PE lessons.’ Rob Laird PDM For the girls, having more control over PE lessons so they didn’t feel ‘dictated’ to by teachers would hopefully increase participation and reduce self consciousness. For the boys, it would enable them to work at their own level and feel less pressurised.

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Mr. W Downie, Head teacher at Streetly Sports College said in his website blog: “At Streetly we hosted the Cerebral Palsy Sports Festival where over 40 youngsters with disabilities from all over Walsall came to use our excellent facilities. I could see from the joy on the faces of not only our visitors, but our own staff and visiting staff, that everyone had a fantastic day. If anyone is unsure of what the Olympic and Paralympic values are these photos should give you an idea”

“The children liked the hand held dance mats. The children who weren’t ambulant were able to use Cyber Coach in their wheelchairs. Every child there said it was great. The girls loved the dance aspect and it was something they could use. They could still interact with the other kids whilst in the wheelchair and participate in computer style games.” Barbara O’ Sullivan Paediatrician Physiotherapist for Walsall.

Meeting the Challenge We have now been using the Cyber Coach System for over 14 months. The system was originally purchased by Walsall Leisure Services and other agencies and given to Streetly Sports Partnership to use across all its’ Secondary Schools. The Sports College has since bought its own system after seeing how successful it was and how much the pupils enjoyed using it. The system has been used by five schools across the region on a rota basis. So far there have been in excess of 150 sessions delivered, with 3212 pupils taking part, of which 198 have been boys. Schools have used a variety of programmes, from ‘pure’ Dance for GCSE and A level students to incorporating the fitness routines into their Health and Fitness modules. Staff liked the system as they were able to set structured lessons for any cover staff that were deployed due to absence. The system was also used once a week for parents who had dropped children at school and who wanted some exercise before returning home. Higher ability pupils were also allowed to develop lessons for younger age groups as part of their Leadership Awards. Streetly Sports College, Queen Mary’s High, Barr Beacon and St Francis of Assisi have all used the system and it is now at an inner city comprehensive Joseph Leckie Technology College. It will be interesting to see how they get on. The Cyber Coach system includes a ‘Virtual Dance Instructor’ which features many different dance routines. As the system has been circulated around five schools the Virtual Dance Instructor has been used a lot with pupils choosing sessions such as Combat, Marine, Salsa, Hip Hop, Bollywood, Aerobics, Step, Street, Tai Chi and Disco. Some sessions have covered some interesting combinations of the above! The system has already started its round of schools for year 2, having been used in Summer Holiday schemes. Living the Olympic and Paralympic Values The Partnership has just purchased 2 SEN mats so that pupils with some disability can be fully integrated into these lessons. We have worked with Cerebral Palsy GB in Nottingham to put on a Festival of Sport for the children of Walsall, using the Cyber Coach System at an event on 21

st October 2010 (see right).

Impact Students were happy with the routines as it allowed them to work at their own level with no peer group pressure. We found, therefore, that there was a much higher level of participation in lessons in certain schools. The Combat routines have been particularly popular with boys and groups of girls too. Boys have also enjoyed Hip Hop and Marines. Girls have particularly enjoyed Bollywood, Disco, Salsa and Street. Students felt comfortable using dance mat games as many had used some kind of Dance Mat system already and did not feel under pressure. There is a pleasing level of variety with the Cyber Coach games. As pupils have enjoyed success using the Cyber Coach System this in turn has bolstered their self esteem. There was a marked improvement in target grades especially against the national curriculum benchmarks of the fitness module. A higher participation rate and increased levels of fitness have led to increased target grades. On aspects such as Coopers 12 minute run and the step test, fitness levels of disengaged pupils or those struggling in P.E. have begun to improve. Where pupils had been achieving E and F grades, they are now achieving D and C grades. Of course, results can only be measured subjectively and depend on teachers bringing out the best in their pupils. Our next project is to engage the PCT to see if any funds are available to allow us to put a system into the 5 Partnership Schools.