Objective:
Making the school day more active
Let's Get Moving
Our mission at The Beacon is 'Success and Achievement for Everyone'. This can be an overwhelming aim when working with pupils across the primary sector who bring an experience of exclusion, low self-esteem, trauma, SEMH difficulties and a negative lens on eductaion. Fun and curiosity prove critical in reaching the hard to reach, and so we decided to get moving and create a curriculum that would inspire creativity and stimulate even the most disengaged minds. As well as a daily diet of direct P.E lessons, physical brain break activites and sensory movement tools, we wanted a way to get moving across core curriculum lessons too.
Meet Motty!
When we found Teach Active, staff were thrilled. The website was so easy to navigate, with resources organised and accessible within subjects, year groups and sub-topics within subjects. An active curriculum was instantly at our fingertips and suddenly it didn't feel so overwhelming to implement our vision. We initially trialled Teach Active within Maths lessons, introducing Motty as our 'Active Maths' Mascot. Pupils engaged in 10 minute active maths slots within the 45 minute lesson. After initial teaching input, pupils had the opportunity to go and 'do Maths' in a fun and physical way. Suddenly, even the most reluctant Mathematicians were eager to take part in the 'fun' bit, as they got to go outside and 'play'.
At The Beacon Primary Pupil Referral Unit, the implementation of Active Maths has significantly enriched our pupils' learning experiences. By integrating physical activity with mathematical concepts, Active Maths has made learning more engaging and enjoyable. This innovative approach has not only enhanced pupils' understanding of mathematical principles but also fostered a more positive attitude towards learning.
Mrs Lesley Hatton, Headteacher
More Maths please
As the first lesson of the day, Maths always had the potential for pupils to disengage and opt to use the safe place in class instead. Many pupils arrive almost phobic about Maths and we had suddenly found the cure. The additional input and physical movement had instant impact on pupils. Their ability to retain new information and apply new strategies and tools to their learning was amazing. Pupils were transferring their active experience of Maths into their book work and confidence was higher than ever before. Pupils were excited to take turns to carry Motty outside to see what challenge he had set them each day, and returned to class with photos of what they had been enjoying outside.
Our pupils have shown remarkable improvements in both their mathematical skills and their enthusiasm for the subject. The active engagement in lessons has helped to cater to diverse learning styles, ensuring that all pupils are able to grasp complex concepts more effectively. Moreover, the collaborative nature of Active Maths has encouraged teamwork and communication among pupils, further contributing to their social and emotional development.
Mrs Lesley Hatton, Headteacher
Mission Possible
Teach Active has become embedded within the ethos and daily routine of The Beacon. It has been so successful and provided a light, pleasurable and trouble-free way of getting our school active. With the triumph of 'Active Maths', we are now implementing Teach Active into English, with the hope to transform the preconception that in English you have to sit and write, that learning across the curriculum is as enjoyable, entertaining and lively as playtime.
The success of Active Maths at our unit is evident in the increased confidence and resilience our pupils display when tackling mathematical challenges. This initiative has empowered them to approach problems with a growth mindset, leading to improved academic outcomes and a stronger foundation for future learning.We are proud of the positive impact Active Maths has had on our pupils and are committed to continuing this approach to support their ongoing academic and personal growth
Mrs Lesley Hatton, Headteacher
Teach Active has supported our classroom to become exciting, inquisitive and ambitious. I'm proud to guide pupils on a journey where learning is fun and the biggest worry they have about lessons, is whether they are first to go outside for active learning with Motty.
Mrs Gemma Holder, Class Teacher.