Statement By: Department for Culture, Media and Sport on a visit to one school said:-

“The best value for money behavioral program we have ever seen!”

Statement By: Nicola Hollins Behavior Improvement Project :-            

“The T’ai Chi undertaken in our local schools has quite simply grown and grown as pupils, teachers and parents see the direct benefits it is having on children.  Parent now come in ever increasing numbers to the regular celebration events.    Classes that have undertaken daily T’ai Chi as part of behavior improvement have seen  remarkable positive differences in the attitude and calmness of the children involved.  One school now does T’ai Chi every morning for the whole school because the Head believes that the positive start to the day it encourages is essential to improving the quality of learning.  The standard of T’ai Chi teaching is outstanding mainly because the instructors have a brilliant understanding of the issues that you people face and are helping them to find solutions.  This is particularly true with bullying problems, anger management and health issues.  Organisation of this work across the partnership has been seamless and first class.  THE SUCCESS OF THIS WORK CANNOT BE DOUBTED AND ITS RAPID SPREAD ACROSS THE AREA IS TESTIMONY TO ITS VALUES IN THE EYES OF CHILDREN, TEACHERS AND PARENTS ALIKE.”

(Nicola is based at Deincourt Community School, Chesterfield)

performance of the whole group was a big factor in the the success.  Seeing improvement daily has been very important, this is something which doesn’t happen too much in the curriculum as we dip into a variety of themes.  One very challenging boy was selected as group leader for a competition and his self esteem and worth improved immensely and with it behavior in other areas of his life.  This Y6 class has just produced the best SATs results the school has ever had (11% up).  

One young man whose behavior was becoming violent and abusive towards his peers was in danger of permanent exclusion.  He now looks forward to his weekly T’ai Chi; his attendance record has improved, as have his level of concentration in the classroom.  He was recently seen practicing his “T’ai Chi breathing” on the playground and then walking away from a conflict situation!  That in its self is reason enough for

Snapdragon to continue its work at Ashgate Croft”.

Statement By: Mr. R. Barr Head Teacher at Brookfield Community School:-                                                                                             

“The partnership with Snapdragon has proved incredibly beneficial with all students involved but especially with those with learning difficulties and those with physical disabilities.  The impact both on the student self esteem and their disposition towards school has been significant.  Equally impressive has been the impact with some students at risk of disaffection.  On an individual level this whole initiative has been incredibly powerful.”

In the current Year Six there are a few children who exhibit challenging behavior and these have participated with a great deal of enthusiasm. The sessions also encourage team work and a positive ethos and team spirit.  Additionally Tai Chi has dynamic music and demands children to work with a positive ideal for team work and a responsibility for individual pride in what they can achieve.

I firmly believe that Tai Chi has had a dramatic effective on the learning of the children at our school and would recommend it as a valuable tool to aid other schools.”

In KS3  T’ai Chi was piloted with one challenging boy - severe behavioral problems, disruptive and aggressive.  One to one work gave immediate and dramatic success.  This led to small group work of challenging pupils in KS3 and then KS2.  In socio-economically deprived schools with behavioral problems.  The measure of success has been beyond all expectations and has led to expansion across the partnership.  Each program is targeted according to each schools needs, i.e. specific group/class, time of day, number of sessions per week etc eg of success.  William Rhodes Junior has averaged an 11% improvement on SATs with T’ai Chi class and has had a 56% drop in behavioral referrals with group targeted.

Information Provided by Janet Seymour Head Teacher at William Rhodes Primary School:-              

Y6 class were fading in the middle of the day so T’ai Chi was introduced at this point to rejuvenate and re-motivate.  The teacher who joined in fully believes that the repetitive nature -of the exercises and thus improvement

Statement By: Mr. M. Meaton Head Teacher at Ashgate Croft Special  School:-                                                                                     

“Snapdragon have been leading T’ai Chi sessions at Ashgate Croft since February 2006 and have made a remarkable impact on the lives of pupils. 

Statement By: Mark Conway Teacher at Dunston Primary School :-            

“Year Six at Dunston have used Tai Chi as part of their curriculum for the last six months. In that period we have found that their mental and physical alertness has been dramatically increased. Their focus in lessons is considerably improved and they are incredibly keen to participate.

Information Provided by Barbara Hickmore Chesterfield School Sports Partnership based at Brookfield Community School:-       

Initially, girls and boys in KS4 not involved in OSHL, as a form of self defense, plus SEN including disability as additional accessible activity.   This work continues in all Partnership Secondary and Special School.