Bath Rugby Foundation has now reached 2400 children in Swindon, Wiltshire and Bath and North East Somerset with their award-winning ‘Stickability’ literacy programme.
As shown in the video above, Bath Rugby and England international lock Dave Attwood recently visited Haydon Wick Primary School in Swindon for a Stickability session to impress the importance of team work and perseverance onto the students.
The ‘Stickability’ programme is designed to give young people aged nine and ten the opportunities and support to develop learning skills and confidence. Delivered in primary schools throughout BaNES and Wiltshire through a combination of classroom-based literacy sessions and active tag rugby sport sessions, the programme aims to reinforce five core learning skills: Individual problem solving; Perseverance and focus; Emotional resilience; Empathy and supporting others; Teamwork and collaboration.
The programme is funded by The Consortium and its parent company Connect Group PLC, whose Head Office is based in Swindon. The Company allows staff to take time out of their day to assist in delivering the programme and each year employees have volunteered 400 hours of their time, reaching 800 children. Last year, the programme was recognised by the Department for Education who awarded the Foundation with a Character Award.
Each school involved receives two hours of provision each week for six weeks. In the first hour pupils work to develop their writing skills in the classroom, and then head out to work on their Tag rugby skills in the second hour. The five core learning skills are reinforced throughout both halves of the session through a special sticker system and lots of praise.
Dave Attwood, Bath Rugby Player and supporter of the Bath Rugby Foundation said: “I’m very happy to get out to Haydon Wick Primary School to volunteer at the Stickability sessions. We want the children to see that it isn’t about being the biggest, the strongest, the best – it’s about how you approach the task. If we can reinforce this message early on, we set these young people up for success in the future. You can see their confidence growing as they progress through the programme.”
Emma Lucas, Group Head of Organisation Development, Connect Group said: “Over the last three years we have formed a fantastic relationship with the Foundation. By investing in Stickability, we have played a part in encouraging young children to improve their literacy skills as well as building confidence in the classroom. In addition, the scheme has given our employees the opportunity to use our Company volunteering policy and I’m so proud of the support they have provided.”
Nicola Black, Connect Group volunteer said: “It has been a privilege to be a part of Stickability. Children know so much more than they believe they know and just need the courage sometimes to put their hand up, give an answer and to go for it! I feel so proud of the children I have had the pleasure of meeting and seeing them blossom just a little bit more week on week is fantastic”
For further information or photographs please contact Fiona.Spencer@bathrugby.com.
