School in Focus - celebrating success in schools

School in Focus celebrates innovative ways in which schools are responding to the unique needs of their pupils, staff, parents and communities. These features are full of stimulating and exciting ideas.

Primary

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Knowle C of E Primary

Under 'play leader' Harry's watchful eye, 16 children are playing a very active game of 'box hockey' within the confines of a 7ft square octagon-shaped frame. Plastic hockey sticks clash as the children battle for control of the puck and when a scrappy goal is scored, everybody looks up to Harry from Year 6 to see whether it is allowed and what the score will be. "We [play leaders] get to referee the games and make the decisions," says Harry proudly. He explains how he also has to watch for any misbehaviour or too much aggression. The first incident is given a warning but a second is recorded in the play leaders' book. (Positive comments are also recorded and rewarded if children are being particularly co-operative.)

Inside, play leaders Issy and Jonny are running a papier-mâché activity for Year 4s. Other indoor play might include making spoon puppets or masks or following challenges, such as building the tallest possible towers from marshmallows and dry spaghetti. Challenges are run as mini-competitions with house points rewarded to the winning team.

Secondary

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Kings Norton Boys School

Three years ago, King's Norton Boys School near Birmingham was granted specialist status for science. "It was a great thing for us in the science department," says Head of Science and Assistant Headteacher Jonathan Butcher, but I wanted to find a way to make the specialism make an impact across the whole curriculum."

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