MAKE LUNCHTIME POSITIVE  

Make Lunchtime Positive involves 12 primary schools and 1157 pupils in lunchtime activities designed to stimulate children, link into numeracy and literacy development. 

Six of the schools are in the North and South of Lancashire with a further six in the East.  County Co-ordinators have the responsibility for supporting schools - providing opportunities for them to come together to share experiences and for training Junior pupils to buddy both each other and Infant pupils. 

One Junior pupil describes Buddy Training as being all about listening to and supporting each other and goes on to say that "we will look after the little ones and have fun with them and not laugh at them about the problems they may have.  A Buddy needs to be kind, loyal and set a good example.  This is all about working together, we will have the little ones as a mate and the little ones will trust us with their secrets". 

Activities for Infant Pupils include: 

·         Older pupils reading stories and teaching counting rhymes;

·         Board games - taking turns, counting and recognising colours (giant snakes and ladders);

·         Team and Individual outdoor games - skipping, balls, hoops, etc;

·         Instruction games - Simon Says;

·         Leadership Games - taking turns such as hopscotch. 

Junior Pupils are: 

·         Developing and delivering activities for Infants.  They use ICT facilities to design programmes, agree rotas and ensure that they are clear in how they talk to younger pupils.  They are responsible for the stock control of all equipment used for activities.

·         Attending a Lunchtime Homework Club.

·         Taking part in Gymnastics, Computer Maths, Chess, Musical Games, Team Ball Games, Leadership games - taking turns and giving instruction. 

Schools have also set up lunch-time Homework Computer and Craft Clubs with teacher help on hand and are looking to introducing a new range of activities - plans to start a Knitting Club have been suggested in one school. 

Choir, country dancing, colouring, board games, gardening, computer and PE type games have been established.  One school reports that the school yard is no longer overcrowded and dinner time behaviour is much improved making for a much more enjoyable experience for all. 

'Make Lunchtime Positive' has definitely had a positive effect on all our children. 

Schools are reporting that the scheme has had a huge impact.  Behaviour at lunchtime has significantly improved, children are engaged in purposeful activities with lunch-time staff teaching and leading new games and have benefited many children who, in the past, have found lunchtime a negative experience. 

"As another Junior pupil says, sometimes I go out to play games and help the little infants.  You get to talk to them and help them play games.  It is really fun because you get to meet new people.  You have a wide range of games to play.  Some of them you can play with your mates and some you can play on your own.  There is skipping, snakes and ladders, jenga etc.  So no matter what you do you still have fun". 

And another, "the new games look brilliant for the children in the school.  About a week ago they had a new basketball hoop put up on the wall to play with during lunchtime.  This hoop has turned out really good because of the use made of it".