Presdales put in strong Minor Award applications for PE and Effective Learning and we were delighted to award them both. Together with their earlier STEM award, this brings their minor tally to the maximum of 3* - well done to their applications teams headed by Nikki Albone, Presdales' Revenue Generation Coordinator!
The Effective Learning bid was for a wide variety of learning support resources such as, sand timers, counters, clipboards, die and buzzers and other motivational and memory skill enhancement tools.** As well as benefitting all levels of learners across all key stages, Presdales' bid had another great selling point. They take in 11/12 PGCE students each year and these tools can be used in their research-based teaching assignments which will help share best practise not only across the school but also in all the students' future teaching positions. (HINT: We're suckers for longevity and breadth of benefit!)
In PE, we were happy to award funds to purchase a trampette and a powerful Bluetooth speaker with headset system. The equipment will not only benefit gymnastics and dance lessons throughout the school but also be used in clubs, G+T and sports leader programmes, dance shows and primary school festivals. The application was further strengthened by explaining the increased pupil motivation and stamina when the music is playing.
* (In each academic year, schools are allowed to apply for 1 minor award in each of the three focus areas of PE, STEM and Effective Learning. They are also allowed to apply for 1 major award in each area as well. Gaining a minor award does not affect a school's chances of winning the year's major award - the two judgement processes are entirely separate.)
** We are currently researching a "shopping list" of Effective Learning resources, courses, speakers etc. to give schools ideas of what might be useful to them in this wide focus area - keep an eye on the website.