Case Study
In 2 Sports at Manor Park School, Nuneaton
Background and Purpose
In 2 Sports introduced a programme of personalised education at Manor Park Schools, Nuneaton. After consultation we tailored a programme with the objective of engaging a specific group of Year 10 and Year 11 students whose behaviour was challenging and attendance decreasing. In addition, two students who had a record of short-term exclusions and a particularly disengaged attitude to mainstream curriculum, were targeted for one-to-one input. Manor Park were looking for a fresh initiative that would hopefully engage a predominantly activity motivated cohort of students. The main objectives of the programmes were to improve attendance amongst both Year 10 and 11 students, build self-esteem and confidence in a social context, improve behaviour, and avoid exclusion maintaining the students on school roll.
Method Summary
1. Delivery of the Award in Sports Leadership to both Year 10 and 11 students on school site conducted within the ‘Life Skills’ programme.
2. Individual work focused on delivering units of the Youth Achievement Award
3. Individual work focused on delivering units of the ‘Getting Connected’ award scheme
Method Detail
One In 2 Sports Instructor works within the ‘Life Skills’ programme, aimed at Year 10 and 11 students, between 9 and 12:30 each day except Thursday. The first half term was used to build relationships with the students, discuss the leadership programmes, and introduce the students to the informal, yet productive style of delivery. Following half term, working in conjunction with, but not alongside, the PE department, the Award in Sports Leadership began to be delivered. Although the leadership awards have a specific unit structure, these are delivered in a non-uniform, informal way extracting the specific achievements of each student on a session by session basis. Two In 2 Sports instructors are present on a Wednesday between 8 and 3:30pm. In 2 Sports then focus on working with two students on an individual basis; one of whom is working towards a Youth Achievement Award, the other toward units of ‘Getting Connected’. Both students receive input from other agencies such as the Youth Offending Team and Connexions.
Outcomes
The Youth Achievement award allows the Award in Sports in Leadership to act as a unit and therefore dual accreditation is possible. In addition all of the awards delivered are QCA accredited to a minimum level 1 and therefore count towards threshold and points for the school. No hard outcomes have yet been attained due to the programme still being underway. Soft outcomes such as improved behaviour have been reported.
“We have found the In 2 Sports staff to be reliable, punctual and professional in their dealings with both staff and students. The year 11 group is working particularly hard towards the JSLA and we are hopeful for positive outcomes for this group of students. Good relationships have been built with the 2 one to one students, both of whom look forward to their time with In 2 Sports. We have been pleased with the way In 2 Sports staff fit in with us at school and are committed to helping our students achieve.”
Lynda Pearce, Bursar