An account from lead teacher Mr Bradburne
Tom is now 18. He was selected to get involved with Sky Sports Living for Sport in year 9 (aged 14). Tom was starting to fail a lot of his subjects, and was at risk of opting out of education past GCSE’s.
Tom was a talented sportsman and was held in high regard by classmates. He would often play up to this and became highly disruptive in lessons. We organised a diverse programme of activities, which included archery, karate, kick boxing, trampoline.
It gave the pupils the opportunity to engage with activities that were completely new to them. Sports were chosen to encourage development in areas outside of sport. Sky Sports Living for Sport provided the perfect platform for Tom to channel his energies and talent for sport in a far more positive and productive way. His behaviour in all lessons improved dramatically, his was able to control the anger he previously showed towards teachers and no longer felt the need to show off or answer back constantly.
As a result of this improved behaviour and resulting concentration, his grade and attainment levels improved significantly, helping him to achieve good GCSE’s which in turn encouraged him to continue at school to study for his A-levels.
The project became so important to Tom that, after leaving school he regularly returned, as a mentor, to help deliver the programme and offering guidance and support to pupils embarking on a similar journey to him.