Background
Sport England started developing sportsearch back in 1998. The principles for
the project were the same then as they are now:
- Improve young people's awareness and understanding of sport.
- Enlighten young people about themselves and local sport opportunities.
- Help fulfil the ICT requirements of the National Curriculum for Physical Education.
- Encourage those not currently participating in after-school/club sport, to take up new and different
sports.
- Inform young people about local sports clubs and opportunities.
- Encourage teachers and parents to assist young people in making informed choices about the sports
they are most suited.
Developing the technology
Sport England was careful in selecting the right technical partner for the design and development
of sportsearch. Northern Ireland Centre for Learning Resources was selected, as
they were part of the Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment and had previously won
numerous international awards for the development of education-based software. The software was designed
through a process of Rapid Application Development (RAD), which offered shorter development time,
a business focus, lower costs and stakeholder commitment.
Project Management
The project management methodology for sportsearch is PRINCE2, the preferred methodology
for large IT projects within government.
Developing the product
In fairness a room full of project managers, IT specialists and sport development professionals
would not have been as able to develop sportsearch as effectively as the panel of
experts we worked with. Firstly, in July 2000 we brought together 50 PE teachers (primary and secondary)
who collectively had over 1,000 years teaching experience. They told us exactly how sportsearch
should and should not operate, expressed their anxiety about ICT being introduced to PE, and generally
helped scope the development of the product. We then worked closely with specialist PE Health and
Safety experts who risk assessed the entire product and guided the development or the task protocols.
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Developing the product (continued...)
Consultation was widened to include government departments, the Youth Sport Trust, national governing
bodies of sport, the Qualifications and Curriculum Agency, BAALPE and PEA (UK), The British Heart
Foundation and the NSPCC. Finally and most importantly, we worked with focus groups of young people
who guided our design team to develop the look and feel of sportsearch. A process
which has been recently been nominated by the National Children's Bureau (NCB) as a model of good
practice.
Research (September 2001 - July 2002)
'Evidence Based Research' is essential when developing a cutting-edge product like sportsearch.
Three pilot areas were selected to represent a mixture of ethnicity, deprivation, ICT readiness and
willingness to pioneer. Knowsley, the London Borough of Lambeth and Southampton were chosen and sportsearch
was tested in 42 secondary schools from September 2001 to July 2002. An independent research agency,
(Opinion Leader Research) was commissioned to evaluate sportsearch during this period.
Their findings were fed back continuously so that sportsearch continued to develop.
The main finding was:
"Initial reaction to the programme is overwhelmingly positive from all
three audiences: teachers see it as a valuable tool and can immediately see potential benefits in
terms of allowing them to exploit cross-curricular links; students see the programme as exciting
and as something that they are interested in participating in, and finally, sports clubs see the
value largely in terms of enabling them to recruit junior members, something that tends to cause
immense problems."
Research (November 2002 - present)
There were however issues in the use of ICT in schools which did present a few problems. To address
these we sent our IT consultants to the heart of the problem where they immersed themselves in schools
for over a week. It transpired that most of the problems were easily remedied. However to be sure
we are continuing to work with selected specialist colleges (technology and sport) who continue to
provide us with excellent reviews about sportsearch.
Since November 2002 we have worked with a further 15 specialist colleges and over 500 pupils.
- Teachers were asked, how many marks from 10 they would give sportsearch? Average
= 9.6.
- Teachers were asked, would you recommend sportsearch to other schools? 100%
said they would.
- 100% of teachers state they recognise the fit between sportsearch and the National
Curriculum for PE.
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Question
What value, if any, did you find the sportsearch sessions that took place
at your school?
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Response
- Physical tasks fit in well with the school's health related exercise programme and PE programme.
- Very exciting project which has and will help us continue to analyse students health/fitness
and attitudes.
- It is an excellent means of encouraging older students, (16-18) to find new activities. So
many of our students have 'given up' sport but have a real interest despite not finding a sport
for themselves - maybe this is the chance.
- The sessions really enthused our pupils and enabled them to contemplate participating in
a great variety of sports and activities not currently available at the school.
- It motivated both the staff and pupils. It encouraged pupils to explore the Internet for
different sports.
- (i) Provides important opportunities for cross-curricular work - ICT and Maths, (ii) important
tool which will allow us to 'set' students as they come into school at year 7, (iii) Fantastic
resource linking students to clubs in the local community.
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Question
What value, if any, did the students get from the sportsearch sessions that
took place in your school recently?
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Response
- Students really enjoyed the physical tasks, very motivational.
- Students not only enjoyed the testing and comparisons with national data, but some have already
started new school clubs because of the information they gained from it.
- A chance to be directed to new additional sports. One student was spotted for rowing, (who
after 16 months is having national trials). Provided students with good base level for components
of fitness, which can be easily re-assessed.
- The students enjoyed being 'tested' and comparing their results. This was the first time
that they had been physiologically tested and were able to input data into the programme.
- It improved self-confidence as it was all done on an individual basis. Pupils can access
the site easily.
- Gained an appreciation of the diversity and qualities associated with different sports. When
database is complete students will be more easily able to access sports in the local area.
- ENJOYMENT!
- Pupils were keen to find sports that they could be suited to - big motivational tool.
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Question
Would you recommend sportsearch to other schools?
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Response
The consensus from all schools is that they would recommend sportsearch to
other schools. More specific comments include:
- Yes, every school in the country should do it if they wish to find talent, but also to encourage
motivation in an age group for which participation is essential.
- It was a great two days and I would love to get more involved.
- Absolutely!
- Yes definitely - it was brilliant!
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Question
Are there any other comments you would like to add about sportsearch?
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Response
- Students wanted to know how their physical task results compared to other students across
the country. They also wanted to know about local sport clubs.
- Fantastic idea which I am sure will have a huge impact. Need to access more ID cards for
students please.
- The team that came here were excellent. The software was very good and provided a good link
into the Sports Gateway. Provided us with an excellent cross-curricular link.
- After consultation with the PE Primary Partnership Co-ordinator we are going to carry out
the tests in our feeder primary schools at the end of the Summer term. The data will then be
collated and used as part of out initial diagnostic assessment of pupils coming into the school,
which in turn will help us place students in classes most appropriate for their sporting ability
and potential.
- It would a be a great shame if the programme was abandoned. Would be good to have an analysis
of data comparing our students results with the national average.
- History has shown that this sort of programme will improve both elite results and mass participation.
- Will be beneficial for authorities/areas to have stock of equipment and link to the School
Sport Co-ordinator programme.
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