Chess in Schools the UK experience European Parliament 24 th February 2016 Chess in Schools – The UK Experience 1

Why Chess? Global Game played by approximately 500million people in 192 countries (participation 2 nd only to FIFA) Universal, with no barriers of age, gender, race, physical disability or language Educational and Social benefits Chess in Schools – The UK Experience 2

Universal Chess in Schools – The UK Experience 3

Chess in Schools and Communities CSC is a UK charity / non profit organisation Works with state / government schools I will explain our experience in the UK and how it might be relevant to other EU countries In 6 years huge growth: 60 locations 350 schools Over 25,000 children learning chess annually Chess in Schools – The UK Experience 4

How do you deliver chess? Optional or Compulsory ? In the UK we teach to the whole class as a class subject Guarantees inclusion of girls as well as boys We provide: Equipment and teaching material Chess Teachers 30 week curriculum Training courses for teachers Internet chess access Optional teacher delivered model – First Move Chess in Schools – The UK Experience 5

30 week curriculum Lesson plans Handouts Worksheets Cross-curricular links across subjects Emphasis on connections with Maths Curriculum ready to use for teachers Chess teacher training courses integrated Chess in Schools – The UK Experience 6

The financial model The use of charity / 3 rd sector delivery has proved to be the most economic way of delivering chess in the UK Lower cost than private sector or state sector Average cost per child is €30/ year Average cost of delivery to each school via the charity is €3000 per year 65% of cost is tutors Delivery is possible without tutors when costs are €1000 per school per year The UK Chess Challenge (UKCC) attracts 70,000 children who pay €1 each to enter a national competition The Yes2Chess online competition is free to enter 22,000 children across Europe Chess in Schools – The UK Experience 7

Chess: Low Cost High Impact CSC Model: €3000 per school OR €30 per child per year Chess in Schools – The UK Experience 8 ACTIVITYEQUIPMENTCOST Violin €250 TennisTennis Racket€30 ChessChess Set€3

Scientific Research Studies in Germany, Denmark, Italy, Spain Show significant improvement in maths and other subjects as well as soft skills More studies underway in Spain and Armenia In some studies chess is added to curriculum in some it replaces one hour of maths New academic papers published in Journal of Chess Research Chess in Schools – The UK Experience 9

Chess instead of Maths! Chess in Schools – The UK Experience 11

The UK Research Project 5000 children study in UK. Reporting next year 100 schools. 50 receiving intervention 50 as control group Compare Examination results at ages 7 and 10 Academic partner Institute of Education Funded by Education Endowment Foundation Chess in Schools – The UK Experience 11

Teachers say... Huge demand from Head Teachers as 90% of state schools do not have chess at present Improves attendance Includes children who do not make an impact elsewhere The quietest time of the week! Chess in Schools – The UK Experience 14

Say Yes2Chess! The internet is an easy way to connect European children through chess. For example the Yes2Chess tournament is a competition between schools from Germany, UK, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Spain, Portugal and is free to all. Chess in Schools – The UK Experience 15

Chess is hugely popular but under-exposed because: Very low levels of government financial support compared with other sports Very little political support – which we seek from you today! Virtually no chess on television or other media People think it is a difficult game to learn... It is not Chess in Schools – The UK Experience 13

Thank you Chess in Schools – The UK Experience 17

Chess makes children smarter : Academic improvement Improves concentration Develops critical thinking and logical reasoning Develops problem solving which UK children are particularly poor at Softer skills Builds self-esteem, increases patience Encourages good sportsmanship, Encourages children to plan ahead, foresee consequences and take responsibility Chess in Schools – The UK Experience 16