Craigie Transition Project Case Study
Just MAGIC
The key points to this case study are:
- transition
- confidence and self-esteem
- keeping girls involved in physical activity.
The transition project was an integrated programme of sport and the arts for girls who were moving from P7 to S1, which was developed in the Craigie High School cluster area in Dundee.
The idea initially started through the Out of School Hours programme run by Active Schools co-ordinators. The programme in this particular area was ‘MAGIC – Most Active Guys in Craigie’.
There was a recognition that the number of females participating in physical activity dropped off dramatically between leaving primary school and starting at secondary school.
Why it was developed
It was decided to develop a programme to engage with a group of girls over the summer holiday period to encourage their continued participation in physical activity. Funding for the project was secured from the Big Lottery Fund.
A programme of sporting activities and photography was developed with an exhibition of work being produced at the end of the programme. There were five targeted feeder primary schools (Community Regeneration Fund areas) with the girls being those who were not taking part in many activities. Active School co-ordinators targeted girls at the schools they operated in.
What we did
The Active Schools team, after consultation with the girls identified, provided a varied programme including:
- body combat
- mountain biking
- club golf
- dance
- outdoor education / orienteering
- volleyball
- hockey
- bowling
- curling
- netball
- badminton.
Throughout the project the girls were encouraged to take photographs of the activities (each girl was supplied with a throwaway camera) as well as to keep diaries. The purpose of this was to create a piece of artwork at the end of the programme as evidence.
An artist from Dundee University was approached to help with the montage and the girls learned about photography, painting and sculpture. The outcome of this was a piece of artwork which was inspired by the programme of activities.
The feedback in terms of the girls’ participation was that not all girls wanted to be involved with the artwork (some did not like art) and that not all girls came to every session, sometimes because they had other commitments.
The artwork which was developed using photography, oil painting, ceramics and montage techniques shows how the girls benefited from the initiative. It is now on display in the canteen area of Craigie High School, which is a source of pride for a number of the girls.
As the Dundee City Council Education Convener says, ‘This magnificent artwork is a tremendous credit to the girls who were involved and the Active Schools team and artist who helped them in the project.
‘The transition from P7 to secondary school can be quite daunting for some pupils and it is through imaginative projects like these that we can help young people to make the best possible start to their time in secondary education.’
What have we learned?
Key aspects of the project were to:
- get the girls to work as a team
- develop interpersonal skills
- develop self-confidence and self-esteem
- develop new friendships
- keep girls engaged with physical activity.
The programme has without doubt provided the opportunity for the key aspects to be addressed. The headteacher of Craigie High School has been impressed with the girls and their attitude when they moved up from primary to secondary school. There is anecdotal evidence that the girls who participated in the programme have continued to participate in physical activity.
Most of the girls identified through the feeder primary schools were desperate to be involved in the programme.
For some of the girls the outcome has been an increase in self-confidence which has helped them on the journey from P7 to S1.
It will be important to find ways of finding funding or making the programme sustainable, as it has proven to be a good transition vehicle for young girls.
Where are we now?
As a result of the programme’s success work is ongoing to identify different sources of substantial funding so that the programme can run again and also be rolled out in other areas of Dundee.
The girls who were involved in the programme stated that they had enjoyed the experience and would welcome the opportunity to help out in future in the role of ‘mentors’.
There is also discussion if the programme is repeated on whether it should be run as sport and arts again or if it could change to another theme such as sport and music.
Another aspect being considered is working in partnership with other agencies, such as Dundee College, where students could be used as part of their course to support the programme.
Contact details
David Nicoll
Education Support Officer – PE and Sport
Education Development Service
Dundee City Council
Floor D, Gardyne Road
Dundee
DD5 1NY
Tel: 01382 438110
Email: David Nicoll
david.nicoll@dundeecity.gov.uk
| School | Roll |
|---|---|
| Craigie High School | 845 |
| Claypotts Castle Primary School | 363 |
| Craigiebarns Primary School | 410 |
| Douglas Primary School | |
| Mossgiel Primary School | 110 |
| Mid Craigie Primary School | 200 |
