|
Playing for Success is operated by Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum
Study Support Centre in a high-tech learning zone in Number
1 Court. Young people attend out-of-hour learning sessions
and participate in activities aimed at improving their literacy,
numeracy and ICT skills
A NATIONAL INITIATIVE
Playing for Success combines the fields of education and
sport to create an exciting learning environment. PfS study
support centres provide a low pupil to mentor ratio and individual
access to ICT resources, whilst using the medium of sport
as a motivational tool. There are also new opportunities to
build relationships and interact with adults and other young
people.
PfS is a national scheme, funded by the Department for Education
and Skills, in partnership with high profile sports clubs.
It was first established with Premier League football clubs
in 1997 and a large number of clubs have since committed themselves
to the initiative. Other sports include Rugby League &
Union, Cricket, Basketball, Gymnastics and Hockey.
THE PARTNERS
This is a joint project, creating a partnership amongst
the London Borough of Merton, the AELTC, Wimbledon Lawn Tennis
Museum and the Department for Education and Skills.
BACKGROUND
The Study Support Centre was established at the All England
Club in early 2003 and since then the partners have been delighted
to see the successful development of the initiative. The project
makes a significant contribution to educational strategies
promoting access and inclusion, raising standards and supporting
community partnerships.
Tim Henman, Roger Taylor, the Rt.Hon. Richard Caborn and
other VIPs attended the official launch in 2004 and during
the summer of 2005, the Centre moved from its original location
in Centre Court to its new home in the No. 1 Court complex.
The SSC is now a thriving education zone that has firm links
with schools and other community groups in the borough. In
October 2005 the Centre received QISS accreditation (Quality
in Study Support) at emerged level.
Tim Henman (l) and Roger Taylor (r) at the launch
|
|
Richard Caborn with children from Playing for Success
|
THE PROGRAMME
The programme is designed to give maximum enjoyment and encouragement
to pupils, whilst developing self-esteem, confidence and key
study skills. The course runs for six to eight weeks (up to
20 hours) and primarily focuses on literacy, information and
communications technology and numeracy.
Many of the activities undertaken by the pupils are inspired
by the theme of tennis and The Championships and the programme
includes a tour of the grounds and visit to Wimbledon Lawn
Tennis Museum. Sessions include educational games, team challenges,
problem solving, reading and writing tasks and project work.
During their time with us PfS students might create a cartoon
storyboard, produce a presentation or edit a mini-movie.
Pupils have access to their own computer and the centre’s
excellent ICT facilities. The use of IT is built into the
programme to aid and improve the presentation of work and
develop pupils’ competence in this rapidly growing area.
When completing projects, students will make use of a multitude
of software applications and websites. A trained adult is
always close at hand to support and encourage pupils in their
tasks.
AWARDS AND INCENTIVES
There is a “Celebration of Achievement” evening
hosted by the Centre, the Museum and The All England Lawn
Tennis Club at the end of each term. Certificates are awarded
for positive attitude, achievement, attendance and effort.
Students, parents, mentors, teachers, local education officers,
AELTC staff and celebrities are invited to attend these evenings
to join in congratulating pupils who have attended the Centre.
There is also an opportunity to view students’ work.
READING STARS
One of the aims of WLTM Study Support Centre is to encourage
children to explore the pleasures of books. As an organization
we are keen to promote and develop reading and to help reluctant
readers get hooked on books. Some young people consider reading
boring and this not only affects their performance at school
but also prevents them from developing a love of reading for
pleasure. This is particularly true for boys. The PfS scheme
targets Year 5 –Year 9 pupils, aged between 9 and 14 years.
The National Literacy Trust notes that this primary / secondary
transition period is a vital time to ensure young people “do
not lose interest in reading and that books do not end up collecting
dust in the shadows of the television or the games console”.
Children need the people around them to set a reading example
so that they think of reading as something enjoyable. It is
also hugely beneficial for children to have role-models who
talk about and share a love of books.
When rain stops play at Wimbledon, many players put down
their racquet and pick up a book. During the 2006 Championships
WLTM Study Support Centre asked professional tennis players
to join other sporting heroes to share their favourite reads.
Director of the National Literacy Trust Neil McClelland says:
"Sports stars can have a tremendous influence on people’s
attitudes. By encouraging young people to view reading as
a champion’s pastime, these players are helping to inspire
young people to become readers and make the most of life’s
opportunities". An initiative of the National Reading
Campaign, Reading Champions works to harness the motivating
power of reading role models to inspire young people and has
been supported of cricketers, rugby players, footballers,
wrestlers and even a basketball champion. Now tennis stars
have joined them to show they are ace readers too!
Maria Sharapova with The
DaVinci Code and Pippi Longstocking |
Australian star Lleyton Hewitt opted for a home-grown choice,
Possum Magic as his children’s title. Tim Henman,
Kim Clijsters and Martina Hingis chose the ever-popular Harry
Potter, while Ivan Ljubicic named Croatian author Ivan Kusan
as his favourite children’s writer.
Venus Williams, who chose Charm School by Susan
Wiggs, explains, “Reading is very important. I always
have a book with me. It opens my mind, it strengthens my vocabulary,
it’s fun. You read about things that don’t happen
in real life.”
The
National Literary Trust - 2006 Tennis Champions
CONTACTS
Study Support Centre Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum
The All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club
Church Road, Wimbledon
London SW19 5AE
Email: playingforsuccess@aeltc.com
Telephone: (020) 8971 2281
Fax: (020) 8971 2438
www.wimbledon.org/playingforsuccess
| 
