Problems?
Most Clubs encounter some problems during their life. Below are some common problems with strategies to tackle them.
Behaviour and Inclusion Some clubs devise their own club ‘code of conduct’ or rules, then get each member of the club to sign it. If you wish to do this, spend some time as a group discussing what needs to be included and what is important to them.
Retaining pupils Clubs that are open to the whole of KS3 can find that they have a problem retaining Y9 pupils. Remember that there is a great deal of difference in the knowledge of a new Y7 pupil and a Y9 pupil. Encourage Y9 pupils to stay by giving them input into the direction of the club and the activities that you do. This gives them some responsibility. If you have a large number of Y9 pupils how about inviting a visiting speaker in especially for them before they make their GSCE choices.
Funding Central to running a successful club is sustainability. Spend any funding wisely as often it will be a one-off input of finance. It may be wise to avoid paying people to run your club or paying for expensive trips as these won’t necessarily be sustainable in the long term; the money may be better spent creating a collection of resources that can be used over the years such as equipment and ideas books.
Ideas and Planning If your club is for all of KS3, you will need a three-year programme of activities, to prevent repetition and boredom. However, firm favourites like slime, bottle rockets and volcanoes can be returned to each year with the older pupils helping the younger ones. Remember to keep session plans and risk assessments so that sessions can easily be repeated once you have worked round a cycle of members. Most leaders find planning the activities the hardest part. Make it easier by planning half-term or term at a time and by picking as many people’s brains for ideas as possible.
Bias Take care when planning your club that it does not only appeal to one gender or people type. Plan a range of activities ensuring they include something for everyone and that the members agree to try everything. Try exploring a variety of aspects on a theme, e.g. consider social context and ethical issues of transport (pollution, traffic congestion, alternative fuels) rather than just designing and building a programmable vehicle. Try to ensure that students don't fall into stereotypical roles in group work (e.g. avoid girls taking on role of researcher or graphic designer whilst boys do the designing, building or experimenting); this can be dealt with by changing roles around or picking roles out of a hat.
Lack of Staff/Leaders If possible have lots of helpers and rotate who is responsible for the club each week. This shares out planning and preparation and means leaders don’t get fed-up and quit after a year or so of hard work. If you have a lack of helpers try using Year 11 or Sixth Form students. You could approach parents or ask your local STEMNET/SEAs Management Contract Holder to advise you on finding volunteers.
Behaviour and Inclusion Some clubs devise their own club ‘code of conduct’ or rules, then get each member of the club to sign it. If you wish to do this, spend some time as a group discussing what needs to be included and what is important to them.
Retaining pupils Clubs that are open to the whole of KS3 can find that they have a problem retaining Y9 pupils. Remember that there is a great deal of difference in the knowledge of a new Y7 pupil and a Y9 pupil. Encourage Y9 pupils to stay by giving them input into the direction of the club and the activities that you do. This gives them some responsibility. If you have a large number of Y9 pupils how about inviting a visiting speaker in especially for them before they make their GSCE choices.
Funding Central to running a successful club is sustainability. Spend any funding wisely as often it will be a one-off input of finance. It may be wise to avoid paying people to run your club or paying for expensive trips as these won’t necessarily be sustainable in the long term; the money may be better spent creating a collection of resources that can be used over the years such as equipment and ideas books.
Ideas and Planning If your club is for all of KS3, you will need a three-year programme of activities, to prevent repetition and boredom. However, firm favourites like slime, bottle rockets and volcanoes can be returned to each year with the older pupils helping the younger ones. Remember to keep session plans and risk assessments so that sessions can easily be repeated once you have worked round a cycle of members. Most leaders find planning the activities the hardest part. Make it easier by planning half-term or term at a time and by picking as many people’s brains for ideas as possible.
Bias Take care when planning your club that it does not only appeal to one gender or people type. Plan a range of activities ensuring they include something for everyone and that the members agree to try everything. Try exploring a variety of aspects on a theme, e.g. consider social context and ethical issues of transport (pollution, traffic congestion, alternative fuels) rather than just designing and building a programmable vehicle. Try to ensure that students don't fall into stereotypical roles in group work (e.g. avoid girls taking on role of researcher or graphic designer whilst boys do the designing, building or experimenting); this can be dealt with by changing roles around or picking roles out of a hat.
Lack of Staff/Leaders If possible have lots of helpers and rotate who is responsible for the club each week. This shares out planning and preparation and means leaders don’t get fed-up and quit after a year or so of hard work. If you have a lack of helpers try using Year 11 or Sixth Form students. You could approach parents or ask your local STEMNET/SEAs Management Contract Holder to advise you on finding volunteers.
