C ross and P assion C ollege Ballycastle Tackling Barriers to Learning through Sports Specialism

School Context All Ability Catholic Maintained School Almost Normal Distribution of pupils in terms of ability and social groups Co-educational Specialist School for Sport

Evidence of Improvement GCSE % 5A* to C fluctuated around 50% A significant gap in boys and girls achievement 2005 %5A* to C reached 63% Gap between boys and girls starts to narrow % Gender gap continues to narrow % 5A* to C – girls and boys perform equally well % % A* to C – Gender gap reappears WORK IN PROGRESS……………

Room for Improvement The Gender Gap Boys and Girls in the 3rd and 4th quartiles Improving percentage of top grades in the first and second quartiles

Barriers to Learning Levels of Intrinsic Motivation Lack of Self Belief and self confidence Poorly developed learning skills Attendance issues Language and Communication Skills

A Specialist School for Sport Values and Philosophy of Sport The Pedagogy Specific expertise of teachers involved Involvement of Parents and the wider Community

Success in Sport Skills Specific to the sport Self Management Target Setting Reviewing Progress Improving Performance Attitudes Determination to Succeed Take Personal Responsibility for Success Perseverance Commitment Resilience

Successful Learners All young people can become more successful learners Defined the skills Attitudes Set this in the context of Values of Sport

Successful Learners The Skills Organisational Literacy And Communication Classroom skills Independent Learning Skills

Successful Learners Attitudes Self Motivated DedicatedResilience Self Belief And Confidence Committed

Using the Pedagogy Model Success Break down the skill into its component parts Share success criteria Use of Peer Assessment (WILF)

Using the Pedagogy Develop the language of evaluation – feedback Playing to strengths and taking corrective action Tracking progress

Pastoral Support for Learning ‘Learning to Learn’ Enabling young people to become successful learners Learning to Learn Programme – focused on Skills and Attitudes Personalised Learning Journal Coaching and Mentoring Setting Targets and Tracking Progress

Creating the Climate for Success Departmental Identity – Loyalty - Pride Departmental Mission Statement Pupils Charter Setting the challenge Achieving ‘Personal Best’

A Sports Specialist College Determination to succeed “Stickability” Drive Self belief Challenge to achieve personal best Commitment