7th January 2009

The Youth Sport Trust works in partnership with schools and other relevant bodies. We help to implement and manage a huge variety of initiatives, designed to build a brighter future for young people through sport.

Below is just one example of how our work makes a difference. 

The problem

How can we use dance to encourage our students to lead more active lifestyles? 

The solution

• Four aerobics routines were taught to teachers and School Sport Co-ordinators (SSCos) across the partnership.
• Schools were given a video of the routines, a music CD and an instruction booklet.
• Primary Link Teachers (PLTs) and/or other interested teachers trained year 5 and 6 pupils to be aerobics leaders.
• Sessions continue to be run for all pupils before school, at the end of lunchtime or during lessons in order to give students the opportunity to be physically active every day.
• A second support video was produced with:

• a new routine;
• tips on cooling down;
• information on the effects of exercise on the body;
• highlights of children’s own routines from the competition.

 

• A competition was run across the partnership for young leaders to devise their own routines and enter family-based competitions, leading to finals held at the sports college.

The results

• Over 5,000 children (including wheelchair users, children with muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy and others) are doing the daily ‘Wake Up and Shake Up’ in 75% of partnership schools.
• Staff say children are showing:

• better behaviour, concentration and learning, particularly after lunch;
• increased self-esteem, especially the young leaders;
• increased enjoyment of physical activity;
• better rhythm, timing, co-ordination and fitness.

 

• More children are taking on leadership roles and joining community dance clubs.
• Children are teaching siblings and parents at home.
• Many schools have introduced water bottles or water fountains and report that children are now drinking more water.
• 400 resource packs have been sold to schools across the country.
• A number of staff have lost weight and there is a better social atmosphere within the schools.
• Links have been made with the national ‘Healthy School’ programme.

It worked because…

• The positive results of the pilot run encouraged others.
• The resource pack is easy to understand.
• It is fun, inclusive and easy to put into practice.
• Enthusiastic individuals in each school have motivated and encouraged others, leading by example.
• People in all parts of the school have been involved, so ‘Wake Up and Shake Up’ has become embedded in the working life of the school.
• It has helped schools to hit their targets for physical activity and health.

The Head Teacher’s verdict:  “It has encouraged fun, fitness and learning from pupils through to staff, TAs and even the caretaker and lunchtime supervisor!”

The Partnership Development Manager’s verdict:  “The outcomes have been far greater than expected and what started out as a simple idea on a small scale has turned out to be very successful.”
 

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