SHINE on Saturday @ St Aloysius' College
The grant recipient
St Aloysius' College is a boy's secondary comprehensive in Islington. Half the students at the school do not have English as their first language, many are from single parents families, a third receive free schools meals and most students enter the college with attainment below the average expected for their age. Prior to receiving a SHINE grant the school had demonstrated a strong track record in provision of out of school hours programmes and had successfully piloted their own Saturday Academy.
The programme
SHINE @ St Aloysius' is for 60 plus students in year 7 (11-12 years old). The project focus is the transition from primary to secondary school and developing the necessary skills in literacy, numeracy, ICT and critical thinking. The project also encourages physical fitness to nurture team building and social skills.
Latest results
- over 60% of the boys made better than expected progress in literacy and numeracy
- 21% made double the expected progress in numeracy
- both students and staff commented on the positive relationships that developed between the two, which they felt would be useful as they settle into the school
The funding
SHINE has made a grant to contribute to the running costs.
Funding: £213,300 to St Aloysius' College, over six years (2008-14)
Visit the website for St Aloysius' College
"In Christmas term I didn't do too good, but then I kept coming to SHINE every week and in the summer term exam my levels went up, straight up."
St Aloysius student
"It is easier to learn here as we do more interactive stuff. It helps you in normal school as well."
St Aloysius student
"With SHINE you're doing extra lessons, which is almost like tutoring. With this you're learning but in a fun way. Because of the extra lessons I am getting, it's made me think of what I want to do in the future."
St Aloysius student
"Last year I wasn't that smart but now I've got good grades. It's all because of SHINE."
St Aloysius student
Quotes
"In Christmas term I didn't do too good, but then I kept coming to SHINE every week and in the summer term exam my levels went up, straight up."
St Aloysius student
"It is easier to learn here as we do more interactive stuff. It helps you in normal school as well."
St Aloysius student
"With SHINE you're doing extra lessons, which is almost like tutoring. With this you're learning but in a fun way. Because of the extra lessons I am getting, it's made me think of what I want to do in the future."
St Aloysius student
"Last year I wasn't that smart but now I've got good grades. It's all because of SHINE."
St Aloysius student