Girls Get Active - Castlebrae Community High School

"I participate in football, short tennis and basketball every week and this helps me make new friends. Sport also gives me a rush of energy and when playing football I get to show the boys that girls aren’t fragile and not all sugar and spice."

Cherise Huth S3 pupil

The uptake of sport and physical activity among the girls in the school has been low and a large number of girls did not use to take part in PE at all. There were huge challenges with truancy, attitudes, behaviours in the school used to be seen as a “difficult school”. Morale was low among students as well as staff and in particular PE was suffering from high turn over of PE teachers and the teaching was disrupted and there was little continuity. Only approximately 20% of the girls chose to do PE and few took part in after school clubs.

We tackled these issues by introducing a new kit, offering additional options such as dance and gymnastics.

 

Project detailsProject duration: 01 September 2009 - ongoing
Organisation: 
Castlebrae Community High School
Project name: 
Girls Get Active
AudienceSchool
Age group: 
0 - 15
Innovation
The biggest difference we found in increasing the girls' participation in physical activity was providing a new kit that stays at school and is washed after every use. The kit makes the girls feel more confident about taking part in PE. The changing room updates have made a huge difference as well. The girls have shower curtains on the cubicles, good mirrors and even hair dryers and straighteners.
Location
Local
How was your project delivered?Dance
Results
Evaluation: 
Before we started the Girls Get Active programme, we only had 20% of girls choosing PE. This grew to 50% in the following term. Also there are more activities on offer for girls and more girls are taking part. Due to high demand, the dance class is now offered twice a week instead of once. Adding the gymnastics class has proven to be a positive thing as well. It's about giving the girls lots of opportunities to stay active. Being fit and doing exercise has begun to be seen as more cool and more girls want to take part. The girls' behaviours have changed radically.
Themes

Confidence and self-esteem

Forgetting PE kit used to be a big problem and as a result the staff together with the girls decided on a new kit which was more appealing to the girls. The new kit included black tracksuit bottoms, black t-shirt, black shorts and black socks. The PE- kit was also held in the school and washed after each lesson or activity. Being more comfortable in their kit whilst doing PE helped the girls' confidence and self-esteem.

Facilities

The changing rooms were identified as a real problem as they were dated, dirty and unappealing. The changing rooms have been transformed and have been painted and cleaned.  Plus a new vanity area has been built with mirrors, shelving, hair dryers and straighteners. The showers now have shower curtains and there are towels available that are washed after each use. The PE staff have made the effort to do the most they can to make the changing rooms in-line with what girls expect in any leisure facility.

Reversioning sport

Previously dance was one class that was not well attended. As a result we changed dance teachers and added new routines. Since the changes, the classes have been very well attended and are popular with the girls.  The dance class has been opened up to transition girls in primary school in February. We have also added a gymnastics class for the girls to offer another option to get involved in physical activity.

Health and well being 

The school used to have a problem with many pupils not showing up to school on Fridays. We introduced a breakfast club which starts at 7am and offers dance and running for girls followed by a healthy breakfast. The running has proven popular and there are between around 20 girls coming to run each week and also some members of staff.

Targeting obesity

The Active School Coordinator and school staff work with girls who have been identified as having a serious weight problem.  We take an informal approach where the staff encourage the pupils to become active in ways that suit the them.  We also offer a personal fitness program that the students and Active School Coordinators go through together.  The Coordinator also works with Edinburgh Leisure’s Obeisty Scheme where pupils are given a free 12month leisure pass and some personal training sessions. The approach is informal, supportive and personal.

Key links: 
Castlebrae Community High School

Comments

Hello

Submitted by marvenniffi on Sat, 19/02/2011 - 11:58.
The running has proven popular and there are between around 20 girls coming to run each week and also some members of staff. logo design . What a utilization of tools and effects you did, It's really amazing work,