Gallions has had Chess on the curriculum for KS2 pupils for several years. As a result, Chess is very popular in Gallions and this is reflected in the waiting list to join Chess Club and feedback from Parents/Carers, Teachers and Support Staff.
Gallions Primary school has been in Partnership with Chess in Schools and Communities(CSC) since 2014 and this partnership has gone on from strength to strength. The funding provided by CSC has allowed staff at Gallions to attend Chess Tutor training courses. Every KS2 pupil has a Scholastic chess lesson every fortnight.
In addition to this there is a Breakfast Club which starts at 8am and is delivered by a CSC Tutor. Our latest development is a new Chess and Mathematics Club after School Club for pupils in Y2. Other projects in the pipeline include a Family Chess Club.
“The State of Education Report 2017 found” – 79% of Primary and Secondary school leaders thought their curriculums should include more Life Skills” The WHO defines life skills as objectives for mental health as including.
- Problem solving and decision making skills
- Development of critical and creative thinking skills
- Communication and interpersonal skills
Chess teaches all of the above through play!
Gallions success in Chess is improving every year. Gallions finished 3rd in the London Schools Chess Classic in December 2018 with 1 individual Gold Medal, 4 Silver Medals and 1 Bronze Medal. Gallions also finished 3rd in 2017 and 2016.
Gallions finished 3rd in the Ellen Wilkinson Invitational Tournament in March 2018. Pupils from progressed to the Megafinal of the Delancey Chess Challenge which is the Worldâs Largest Chess Competition in February 2018. We finished 2nd in the 8×8 Chess Tournament in April 2018 3rd in the Newham Schools Chess Tournament in July 2018 with an individual Gold Medal.
Gallions success in Chess is recognised, leading to 3 of our pupils being invited to the recent World Chess Championship and watching one of the matches between Magnus Carlsen v Fabriano Caruana. Please read this recent article in the Newham Recorder, featuring our pupils.