School news

University of Sheffield’s Philosophy winner!

Mrs Blakesley

The PRS department would like to congratulate Amy (Y12) on winning the University of Sheffield's Philosophy essay competition.

Amy wrote her 1500 word essay about utilitarianism, a topic we are studying in lesson. She came in the top 10 of 186 entries. Her paper titled, 'Is utilitarianism the correct approach to ethics?', received outstanding feedback relating to her knowledge and understanding of the topic as well as the structure of her essay.

The judges awarded Amy a First at degree standard, something she should be incredibly proud of. Amy won a £25 Amazon voucher and the chance to be part of a workshop with the Philosophy department. Huge well done, Amy!

Move & Groove Project

A pioneering new project combining music and sport to support the health and wellbeing for both the young and older generations launched to coincide with Global Intergenerational Week (25 April 2022).

Move & Groove has been developed by Intergenerational Music Making (IMM) and Youth Sport Trust (YST) - dedicated to using music and physical activity to change the lives of generations. The programme will pilot in 10 locations across England to address mental health challenges, loneliness, isolation, and inactivity.

Funded by the Sir John Beckwith Charitable Trust, the project was created in response to evidence of the benefits that the combination of music and movement have on children and those suffering from isolation and loneliness and those living with Dementia and Parkinson’s Disease. Move & Groove is designed to increase the confidence and wellbeing of children and older adults and give them a sense of being valued within their local community.

The Move & Groove pilot will be fully evaluated by Southbank University using an innovative technique to assess the impact on the wellbeing of both the elderly and the young and improvements in wider behaviours and functional capacity. To definitively measure the impact of music and movement on our wellbeing we will be carrying out ‘spit-and-measure’ tests on all participants to measure levels of Cortisol. Cortisol widely known as the stress hormone - is nature’s built-in alarm system which works with certain parts of the brain to control mood, motivation, and fear.

Amongst the supporters of the pilot is Baroness Grey-Thompson, Paralympic Gold Medallist.

Schools and care homes across England have been paired together for the pilot. Selection was based on those with limited access to music and sport, limited funding and resources, young people from low socio-economic backgrounds and groups most in need of help in building connections.

Staff from each setting attended a regional training day where they learned how to run a 6-week intergenerational project in their area. Schools and care home staff receive capacity funding and resources including play and music equipment. Ongoing support will be provided by YST and IMM staff via phone calls and site visits, as well as peer support through regular online network meetings.

Sir John Beckwith said: “I established the Youth Sport Trust in 1994 with an aim to pioneer new ways of using sport to improve children's wellbeing and give them a brighter future. Move & Groove is an innovative project which aims to combine movement with music, to improve the wellbeing of not just the young but older people too. We want to envisage a Britain where everyone can age well; where everyone’s needs, and aspirations are met; and their strengths are recognised respectfully. Where age isn’t an issue but becomes a thing that is celebrated.”

Charlotte Miller, Director and Founder of Intergenerational Music Making, said: “We are thrilled to be partnering with The Youth Sport Trust for this ground-breaking intergenerational new pilot. Our mission is to use the magical power of music to connect young people with the older generation to tackle loneliness, isolation and create connected communities. I am delighted to be using our combined expertise in music and physical activity to benefit these two age groups and closely evaluate the mutual benefits to help children and older people to live happier and healthier lives.”

Alison Oliver MBE, Chief Executive of the Youth Sport Trust, said: “We are hugely passionate about inspiring changemakers and building belonging through the power of sport and play. We know the transformational impact that being physically active can have on health and wellbeing, which is why we are incredibly excited and honoured to be one of the charities behind Move & Groove. Of the 220,413 young people we worked with last year, 75% of them reported improvements to their overall happiness thanks to the power of sport. We can’t wait to foster relationships between generations and tackle some of the key issues like loneliness impacting society today.”

Training has taken place during April and projects will run during May culminating in a celebration event during June.

Janice Price has been training ten of Highfields dance leaders from year 9 to work with residents and activity coordinators from Ivonbrook Care Home and Darley Hall Care Home on the move and groove project.