New celebratory week to support Hampshire and Isle of Wight students’ wellbeing
We Can Week aims to support children's well-being
Date: 25 January 2022 Author: Energise Me
With the help of Energise Me’s Open School Facilities Project, Nine Acres Community Primary school launched a Girls Fun Club. The club had a great impact on Daisy*, with her confidence and attendance improving.
Energise Me stock photo – Image for illustrative purpose only. *Pupils names changed
With the help of the Open Schools Facilities Project, we decided to set up Girls Fun Club to help increase health and physical activity levels as well as confidence. 40% of our pupils don’t have access to outside space at home so it is important we encourage them to be active.
To start with we offered the sessions to just year six girls, but we ended up opening the offer to year five too. Before the club started, we surveyed the girls to find out what activities they wanted to take part in. Once we knew what they wanted, we ran the activities on rotation throughout the programme. Activities have included, playing football, rounders, netball and football.
The girls were also invited to design their own t-shirt with the winning one being chosen to become their club shirt.
The positive experience has had a knock-on effect on the girl’s self-esteem. They are all more confident and competent in sport-specific skills.
The club helped 21 girls. All those who attended have benefitted both in their physical and mental health. We have noticed they are all more active at break and lunchtime and they are more engaged and willing to participate in PE.
The positive experience has had a knock-on effect on the girl’s self-esteem. They are all more confident and competent in sport-specific skills.
By asking them what they wanted we have given them the opportunity to develop their voice in sport. They have been able to make their own decisions, take on a sports leadership role and try new sports. These are all things they may never have been able to do without the funding.
School staff have commented on their increased confidence in class, improved focus and greater resilience to challenges.
Daisy is a 10-year-old girl. She is a young carer and also on the Special Educational Needs register. She lives in a first floor flat with no access to outside space and has lived like this for the majority of her life.
In the past, Daisy has had poor attendance at school and is monitored because of this. She has never willingly signed up to after school enrichment clubs. Her teachers have noted her as typically being withdrawn and lacking confidence.
During the COVID lockdowns, her family were only able to leave the house once a week for food shopping due to their vulnerability.
By attending the sessions, Daisy has developed a love of sport. Her confidence has increased, and her self-esteem has been heightened
Initially, Daisy was very reluctant to join the Girls Fun Club. However, she has attended every session, apart from one prearrange young carer outing that conflicted with the clubs’ timings. By attending the sessions, she has developed a love of sport. Her confidence has increased, and her self-esteem has been heightened.
During sessions, Daisy has been passionate in sharing top tips with other pupils. The sessions have helped her develop a group of friends with who she is eagerly anticipating spending time. She has grown from wishing to be an observer of the sessions to an active participant and leader.
The club has positively impacted Daisy’s health and fitness as her balance and stamina have improved. She has developed key sports skills including hand-eye coordination and gross motor movement.
Attending the club has also had an impact on Daisy’s wider life at school. She has shown increased competence in PE and is, therefore, more confident when taking part. She has also been better able to articulate her learning. Daisy now speaks passionately about sport and provides feedback on others techniques.
In the classroom, Daisy is more focused, offers more contributions and is a more vocal member of the class. Her teachers say she has found her place, eagerly arriving at class each morning. Her attendance has improved too.
Both her parents and staff members have noted she now has a new desire to attend clubs and competitions.
Noting that 40% of our pupils have limited or no outdoor space at home we wanted to make a lasting, sustainable impact.
Noting that 40% of our pupils have limited or no outdoor space at home we wanted to make a lasting, sustainable impact. We worked with ‘Dan the Skipping Man’ to provide workshops and free take-home recourses for the whole school.
The sessions had an emphasis on keeping active with little space and equipment. Each child was given a skipping rope so that they could continue to practice at home.
The sessions and resources have supported our children and parents with the knowledge and resources to implement the 30/30 active challenge at home. Pupils have continued skipping with some coming to school reporting the new tricks they have learnt to their teachers.
Helping us tackle inactivity to boost health and happiness
