Andy Clowes, Deputy Head Hey with Zion Primary School

"I want to put in print how delighted I am with the impact of chess in our school, beyond the chess board, and how it has had a beneficial effect on the children's performance in other lessons- particularly, I think, Maths.

 

I had noticed that our chess players had been making particularly good progress in Maths, in many cases in advance of the rate we would normally expect of them. I find they're eliminating the kind of careless errors which exist in many pupils' work at this age, and are approaching their work with an increasing maturity and ability to make and take decisions about their work, e.g. how they will solve problem questions.

 

We have also been in "SAT season" and while many teachers from other schools have commented to me about how there was too much to get through in this year's reading comprehension, this wasn't really an issue for our chess players, as they have learned to pace themselves in the kind of exam situation which I suppose every chess game presents. We have had our best ever SAT results this year, with an astonishing 71% scoring a top grade in Maths, and while I know it was a good set of children which we had, I am convinced that your chess input has contributed to these results. So thanks!"

 

Manchester CSC Quickplay Congress

Over the Easter weekend CSC's second Manchester quickplay tournament of 2012 was held at our new venue of Broadoak & Smallshaw Community Centre, Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancs.

 

45 children attended with the 8 age group winners and runners up being represented by 8 different schools.

 

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Our 3rd event will take place on May 26th at the same venue with the final 2 events of the Grand Prix taking place in Octover and just prior to Xmas.

 

The idea is that children will choose their best 3 scores from the events they attend to win mega prizes that will be awarded at the December event.

 

- David Hardy

2nd Manchester CSC Congress

The 2nd CSC Manchester Junior Congress took place on Saturday 17 December 2011 at Ashton Bridge Club with a record 53 entries. 12 local schools were represented with the year group prizes being well spread between 8 of the schools.

 

 

The children some of whom only learnt the moves in September played 6 games each and in between the rounds a quick tips coaching session was held. Many of the children asked when the next event was to be held - we expect that this will be at Easter

 

- David Hardy

 

Half term chess camp

After the success of our Summer chess camps in August - CSC held a half term chess camp in Ashton-under-Lyne on Thursday 27 October 2011.

 

37 children attended the camp all of whom had only started learning how to play chess in September at their respective schools.

 

By the end of the day they had learned how the rest of the pieces move, the rules on check and checkmate and were able to play a full game - with some supervision!

 

A great day was had by all - look out for details of our 1 day Congress that will take place in Ashton-under-Lyne on Saturday 17th December.

 

- David Hardy

 

Tuesday 8th March 20111

 

 

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Tameside Primary Championships

At the annual Tameside Primary School Championships held on 25 June one of our schools Stalyhill Junior won the title by a clear 2 points. 10 players took part in the team of 6 event all playing at least 4 games in the 7 round event.

 

Special mention should go to Thomas Curtis who scored 6/7 on Board 1, Elise Donohue who scored 6.5/7 on board 4 and James Wilde who scored 7/7 on Board 6.