Support - Development - Achievement
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Impact in classroom and learning environment
- Improves child / teacher relationships
- Central to the learning process
- Personalised targets and goal setting strategies.
- Creates a happier learning environment
- Children take greater interest in learning.
- Teacher identify's individual needs of children quicker
- Unlocks children's potential
- Children’s achievements improve
- Improves class moral, behaviour and attitudes
- Reduces teacher stress and absenteeism
Simon Beahan Mosborough Primary School Year 6 teacher and KS2 Coordinator.
U can shine! was first introduced into my Y6 class in September 2007. The focus of the programme was the building of self esteem, raising aspirations, encouraging cooperation and target setting within the context of physical fitness. Activities included games, general fitness, exercises, coaching techniques and even a mini Olympics.
The classroom activities centred around a work book from which each child set themselves a personal target around weekly themes. Thought provoking discussions and issues were raised in the classroom and the children were allowed time to reflect on these matters.
As the year progressed, I was able to integrate these elements with curriculum based subjects such as PE, PHSE, Science and SEAL,
When U can shine! was first enjoyed by my class, many of the children were unable to work as a team and cooperate with each other sufficiently. Some children’s level of emotional literacy was low; several children, boys in particular, had behavioural issues linked to low confidence and low self esteem. However, as the U Can Shine progressed I saw a definite improvement in the way these children viewed themselves and how empowered they felt to make their own good choices.
Consequently, the behaviour of certain individuals improved and all of the children felt a renewed confidence in their own abilities and outlook on life. This was particularly pertinent for a class that was taking SAT’s and about to embark on transition to year 7. U Can Shine coach Shaun relationship with the children blossomed and my class always looked forward to his sessions. Mutual respect was evident from the beginning and Shaun used this to develop the children’s attitudes to learning and their own lives.
Children were far more prepared to support one another and were more willing to face new challenges. Shaun is a great role model for the children and was able to motivate and inspire them onto greater things. I am confident that many of my class took on these ideas and are using them to take ownership, responsibility and control of their lives into Year 7.
‘U Can Shine has brought my class together and raised morale. They now enjoy coming to school.
Frank Reardon, Woodthorpe Primary School, Sheffield.
‘The goal setting element is great. The whole class engages at their own level, because they can write, draw, stick and share their feelings openly. Everything is acceptable which helps the children achieve’
Samina Ahmed, Firs Hill Primary School, Sheffield.
