| The national Playing for Success (PfS) initiative is a partnership between the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF), Local Education Authorities and Professional Sports Clubs. Study Centres have been set up to allow students to learn after school and during the holidays. Research about PfS has shown that these Centres offer quality study support and are an excellent, cost-effective means of raising standards in literacy, numeracy and ICT as well as improving student motivation and encouraging positive attitudes to independent learning. It is also about strengthening the links between the clubs and their wider communities in which they operate. General information about the scheme can be found at www.playingforsuccessonline.org.uk
The Bath Rugby Education Centre (or Bath REC for short) was set up in 2005 and is located within the main clubhouse at the Recreation Ground. In simple terms it is a ‘classroom within a club’ which offers 18 hours of after school study support to pupils aged between 10 and 14 from primary and secondary schools in the local area. The idea is to create a ‘wow factor’ that encourages kids who are struggling a bit at school to get motivated and get learning. The project includes the following features:
• The programme involves themed activities connected to Bath Rugby but underpinned primarily by numeracy. literacy and ICT objectives. Bath Rugby players are involved by coming down to the Centre to be interviewed and being available to hand out certificates and prizes at end of term presentation events.
• All provision will be free of charge including transport to and from the club.
• The activities are supported by state of the art ICT equipment including laptops with Broadband connection, an interactive whiteboard and digital cameras.
• The teaching is led by the Centre Manager (a qualified teacher) and assisted by a full time Higher Level Teaching Assistant and a range of volunteer assistants who have been recruited from a variety of sources including local 6th forms, the two universities and from the club supporters.
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