In our next Chance to Shine case study, we meet Craig Ellicott from St Mark’s Primary School in Birmingham to hear about the positive impact Chance to Shine has had at his school. Craig describes how Chance to Shine provides a positive start to the day for children and is helping them form a life-long love of cricket and sport generally.
How long has St Mark’s been involved with Chance to Shine and in which age groups?
We started Chance to Shine at Easter last year. I had run the programme at my previous school and was keen to introduce Chance to Shine at St Marks as soon as possible. We got it up and running soon after the children returned to school from lockdown.
For Year 1 & 2 we ran Chance to Shine as a before-school club and targeted children who would really benefit from an active and enjoyable start to the day, including some children whose punctuality had been an issue previously. Coming to the Chance to Shine sessions before school gave them a positive start to the day and improved their routines and expectations around getting to school on time. We also made some toast available for them. We were particularly keen to involve these year groups as they had so far only limited opportunities to experience the benefits of sport at school, due to the lockdowns and Covid. Many of them had not had regular exercise, so Chance to Shine was an ideal way of introducing that missing element.
In curriculum time, Chance to Shine runs for Years 3 & 4. We have been very fortunate to have had an excellent coach in Raja Shahzeb. The children really relate to him and find him accessible.
What are the benefits to St Mark’s of running the Chance to Shine programme?
In Years 3 & 4 the sessions have been very varied, and the children have really enjoyed them. A few children have surprised themselves about how successful they were at turning their hand to the different elements of cricket. You can see their eyes light up when they strike the ball, hit the wickets, or the coach gives them praise. The coaches are great role models.
I see Chance to Shine as an important introduction to a sport that’s different from something like football (which is what most of the children are used to). I find the atmosphere at cricket matches is child-friendly and family-friendly. Cricketers generally give a lot of time to supporters – they speak well and show an interest in the children too. In the past we have taken pupils to Edgbaston and I have been very impressed what good role models the players are for the children. We have always been very well looked after as a school at Edgbaston. I am hoping we will be able to take children there for the start of the season next summer, and of course there is the Commonwealth Games to look forward to as well.
