A successful pilot chess course for assistant teachers has taken place at Smithfield Primary School. The proposal to run the course as part of an in-service training day came from Smithfield head Dot Adam. School staff was quite interested in the idea, with 14 staff members ultimately taking part in the 3-hour session during the April training day.

Most of the ‘pupils’ had no prior knowledge of chess, and were really not sure what to expect. However, they showed exactly the right approach and work ethic, but also had a lot of fun at each stage of the course. There was never any likelihood of completing the entire course in one 3-hour session, but everyone mastered the parts covered, and by the finish had learned the movement of the pieces and had a clear understanding of the objectives of the game.

Feedback from staff on the course and content was encouraging: it was ‘worthwhile’; ‘good’; ‘interesting’; ‘enjoyable’; ‘fun’; ‘challenging’.

They were unanimous in requesting a follow-up session at the next in-service day, which will take place on May 18.

Successful CPD courses have taken place in the past, but this novel initiative has somehow never been considered before. Assistant teachers invariably help out during P4 tuition, and could prove to be an invaluable un-tapped source for recruiting school chess club personnel. Additional courses are very likely be organised in the coming months.