{"id":7528,"date":"2018-11-16T14:56:49","date_gmt":"2018-11-16T14:56:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fitproblog.mysites.io\/rugby-to-prevent-school-exclusion\/"},"modified":"2018-11-16T14:56:49","modified_gmt":"2018-11-16T14:56:49","slug":"rugby-to-prevent-school-exclusion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fitpro.com\/blog\/rugby-to-prevent-school-exclusion\/","title":{"rendered":"The School of Hard Knocks"},"content":{"rendered":"

Empowering individuals\u00a0<\/strong><\/h1>\n

With more young people becoming disengaged with education, and in light of vast government cuts in state education services, Olivia Hubbard, <\/strong>speaks to Ken Cowen, <\/strong>the CEO of a charity determined to make a difference in areas of deprivation.<\/p>\n

This week I watched with interest the BBC 2 documentary about Marlwood School in Bristol; a school placed under special measures by OFSTED.\u00a0 Their head teacher, James Pope, is feeling the pressure to attract new pupils to the school. During the documentary, we met children who lacked interest in academic subjects and skipped lessons frequently. The result? A poor attendance record overall. This would equate to a reduced chance of escaping OFSTED\u2019s \u2018Inadequate\u2019 view of the school. Upon watching, I saw children who weren\u2019t suited to a particular style of learning \u2013 this doesn\u2019t mean that they cannot flourish and do well. \u00a0If a disruptive child was caught, they sat facing a wall working in the corridor. Is this the best we can offer our young generation? Will this prevent \u2018aggressive behaviour\u2019 in the future?<\/p>\n

Sport is powerful. When my friend battled a mental illness, he turned to football \u2013 inside a sticky gymnasium, passing slightly deflated balls from toe to toe. Yet, after attending a few sessions, his mood was anything but \u2018flat\u2019. \u00a0\u00a0When I discovered Ken Cowen\u2019s charity, the \u2018School of Hard Knocks\u2019, I felt hope for the children in the documentary and others just like them, too.<\/p>\n

Drawing on his early career as a PE teacher, CEO at the School of Hard Knocks, Ken Cowen, devised a course that would use the sport of rugby to engage unemployed men in Liverpool. He wanted to make a difference. Cowen wanted to teach these men positive values and behaviours, and give them a sense of self-worth, self-efficacy and hopefulness for the future. Six years ago, the School of Hard Knocks <\/strong><\/a>\u00a0became a registered charity, helping both adults and children to find their pathway in life.<\/p>\n

Rugby in the playground<\/strong><\/h2>\n

One element of the School of Hard Knocks\u00a0charity is to deliver programmes aimed at pupils aged between 13 and 16; who have been subject to exclusion in the past, are educationally disengaged, or face possible permanent exclusion. The main reason for permanent exclusion is persistent disruptive behaviour, which accounts for a third of all exclusions, but it also works on causes such as low confidence, poor self-control, difficulties with social cohesion, and problems communicating effectively.<\/p>\n

Ken Cowen explains, \u201cThe charity targets areas detailed in the Government\u2019s report: The Index of Multiple Deprivation. The report determines the areas with the highest death rate among young people due to ill health, individuals who are less likely to remain in employment, where education attendance is lower, and where crime is higher. We approach schools in those areas and basically say to them that we have this offering and we wish to work with your children \u2013 we ask them to find a cohort in one year group of 15-20 children, then we will come in for half a day during the week, every single week of a school year, for up to three years.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\"rugby<\/p>\n

The rugby sessions are during the school day; children will leave their curriculum subjects, even including Maths, English and Science, to attend the session. Parents agree to the terms or, in some cases, the carers and guardians.<\/p>\n

\u201cI realise that it sounds counterintuitive to take them out of their subjects and play some rugby \u2013 but some of these children have chronically low attendance levels. We are seeing a rapid\u00a0turnaround in terms of attendance, behavioural issues, and a real drop in the number of detentions. They have a greater level of engagement with the school generally.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0Measuring success<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u00a0Clear outcomes from schools and pupils that have participated in the School of Hard Knocks include:<\/strong><\/p>\n