They have organised a range of clubs such as ‘Little Actors’, ‘Dance Divas’ and ‘Little League‘ all aimed at the younger children and run at lunchtimes and after school.
Background
The children submit a written bid outlining, where and when the club will take place, how long it will run for, what the children will do and how many places they can offer.
They have to find a willing adult who will oversee their efforts but this is a straightforward role for staff and they do not interfere with the organisation, planning or delivery of the sessions. The children have shown a huge level of responsibility in organising their clubs, from advertising via assemblies and visits to classes to creating posters, writing letters to parents, taking registers and planning in detail exactly what happens at each session.
Developing Leadership & Organisational Skills
They have shown real leadership, consideration and maturity in how they go about their business. The ‘Dance Divas’ for example, are over subscribed so the Year 6 children organising the club have a waiting list for next term.
At the end of each six week course they will put on a special assembly for the dancers to show what they have learnt to the rest of the school.
As this club runs after school the organisers make sure parents are there to collect their children and have introduced themselves to families both through their letters and in person at the end of each session.
Maths Club
The ‘Maths is Fun’ club has been organised for Year 2 children and the Year 6 girls running this club have spoken to the Year 2 teachers so they can target their fun maths games at areas of most need.
Little League Football
The Little League football club has also given some of our Year 6 boys the opportunity to work together and organise themselves to the benefit of the infants, in a way that they can struggle to it do on their own.
Team Work
The children running these clubs are learning alot about teamwork, organisation, planning and accountability. They have to ensure they are at the club in good time, well planned and ready for action. They are evaluating their sessions and adapting to improve things in light of their findings.
Summary
The clubs are thoroughly planned and are providing exciting opportunities for the younger children in school who don’t always get the range of options that the older children do. The younger children love attending these clubs and working with the Year 6 pupils.
The younger ones want to please the older ones and try really hard each week with their given tasks. It is proving to be a great model for extra curricular activity and one that looks set to go and grow.
About the author:
Michael Shepherd is the Headteacher of Hawes Side Primary School in Blackpool, UK. He is also Head of Primary and Vice Chair of the National Primary Steering Group at the SSAT (Specialist Schools and Academies Trust). Michael is a speaker and educational blogger presenting regularly on Parental Engagement, Networking, Pupil Voice and Use of New Technologies –key areas of development within the school community. Hawes Side Primary School has been recognised nationally for its work on Parental Engagement and Use of New Technologies and regularly welcomes visitors interested in developing these key areas in their own schools. Michael writes a blog which you can visit.
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