Good Practice - Case Study

Watford Playing for Success

Inspired to Learn

CSF works in partnership with Watford FC.

Playing for Success (PfS) is a DfES funded national initiative which uses sport to motivate young people to become successful learners. The purpose of the project is to use the environment and medium of football as a motivational tool in order to raise literacy, numeracy and ICT achievement.

How do pupils improve?

• KS2 and 3 students attend a ten week programme over a term – two hours a week.
• We use a Key Skills approach.
• Students self assess their literacy, numeracy, ICT and attitudes to learning at week 2 and re-assess at week 9.
• Students use their self assessments to set four goals.
• A programme is provided which enables students to work improving their goals.
• The stadium is used as a ‘classroom’ in addition to the Centre.
• RM Successmaker and www.samlearning.com provide students with individualised literacy, numeracy and science courses to improve and revise for national tests.
• There is a staff to pupil ratio of 1:3 comprising of qualified Teachers, paid tutors and volunteer mentors (sixth formers).
• A PfS teacher works with KS2 students back in school for a follow up term.
• Students end the stadium based course with a Celebration Evening where they receive medals and prizes in recognition of their achievement from the Team Manager and players.

Impact

NFER National Evaluation of PfS 2002 findings (included Watford FC)

On average:

• KS2 pupils improve in numeracy by 17 months and KS3 by 24 months.
• Reading comprehension at KS3 improves by 8 months.
• Children’s ICT skills improved significantly.
• Attitudes showed evidence of significant improvement in several respects – independent study skills and self image in particular.
• Parents had very positive views about their children’s participation.
• Teachers rated the Centre’s organization highly. 100% wanted their school to return.

Recent Visit to the Centre by Tony Blair

On 20 January 2005 thirteen lucky pupils from Holywell Primary School were lucky enough to meet the Prime Minister at the Watford Learning Centre. Mr Blair, and Claire Ward MP, saw the children using the Centre’s cutting edge ICT equipment to develop and improve their literacy, numeracy and ICT skills. Mr Blair also sat in front of an interactive whiteboard and joined in with some spelling games. The day was “…a marvellous, yet surreal experience for us all..” explained Centre Manager, Julia Bateson. “Mr Blair related well to the children and was very interested to see how the Government/CSF funded project was benefitting over 260 Hertfordshire pupils a year. It was also a real honour for the staff to gain recognition for their work from the Prime Minister. It is not something we shall forget.”

Mark Ashton, Chief Executive of Watford FC, said: “It was great that Mr Blair took time out from his busy schedule to visit the Watford Learning Centre. The youngsters were all very excited by his visit and it was great recognition for the important work carried out by the Centre.”

Gill Jones – Head of Standards and School Effectiveness Division – said: “CSF is delighted to see the Playing for Success Project at Watford Football Club gain recognition from the Prime Minister’s visit. Since the Centre opened in 2000, we have seen over 1,500 Hertfordshire children, from more than 50 primary and secondary schools, raise their achievement by improving their literacy, numeracy and ICT skills through the study support project.”