The effect of coaching a young person through a challenge they thought impossible can have huge rewards for student and teacher/coach.

During the summer of 2005 I did an eight week course at a Primary School in Brighton which was promoted by Hilary Reed, head of Primary Special Facility at St. Bartholomew’s Church of England Primary School, Brighton and Hove.

This was a pupil referral unit and all the children had special educational needs.

Our goal was to increase concentration, confidence, motor co-ordination and self esteem. After just a few one hour sessions there was an astonishing effect.

We called the course.

The Rob Hughes Juggling Project

“I write in support of the above project, which has enhanced the education of pupils at one Primary School in Brighton and Hove and has the potential to benefit many others.

Understandably, the way in which we learn has increased significantly over the last decade, with a common acceptance of approaches such as Brain Gym and other physical activity-based learning programmes being shown to increase many students’ concentrations and ability to think.

The Rob Hughes Juggling Project has certainly achieved this for a number of young people in Brighton and Hove and I would love to see this work available to other schools in the city. This is a novel yet proven approach to encouraging learning and building confidence and Rob has our full support.”

Yours sincerely,

Gil Sweetenham
Assistant Director, Schools
Brighton and Hove
East Sussex

This was a great example where the pupils started to gain a genuine commitment to a skill they initially perceived as beyond their capabilities. They all excelled in different ways throughout the eight weeks. The experience at St. Bartholomew’s promoted this Web site and underlined the reasons for this work within the school environment,

How to use juggling in schools.

As Gil expressed above, creating focus, concentration and creativity in young people is a constant challenge for all teachers.

The reasons for a juggling course

• hand-eye coordination is linked to the ability to read and write.
• juggling a cascade uses both hemispheres of the brain; Right and Left - therefore encouraging creative and logical thought process. increasing concentration, focus and commitment.

• it establishes the idea of mistakes as something to learn from.
• it creates a platform to emphasis change in behavior and action.
• it is a level starting point for all in terms of size, gender and exercise ability.
• it can increase confidence and self esteem.
• Introduces the notion of peer coaching
• it helps to outline the whole teaching process of all subjects.

IT IS FUN, NON ACADEMIC AND GETS PUPILS PREPARED FOR LEARNING.

From reception to the school leaver juggling/ball games can play a positive role.

The emphasis on inclusive education relies on students feeling confident about who they are and how they fit in to their world at school.

No pupil/student is alike they all have special qualities

If confidence and self esteem decline we find the motivation and commitment in equal decline. So getting the students/pupils moving and interacting physically will have learning and thinking benefits.

Ball games and juggling which can be done alone, in pairs or groups and requires minimum of space, it can take place in the classroom, the gym or the playground so please get in touch today to see how you can start a course in your school now.

THE EFFECT CAN BE EXTRAORDINARY