School pupils survey shows esports increases concentration, behaviour and attendance levels

Dominic Sacco

4 min read | 11 Apr 2019

Glebe School in Bromley has reported some positive findings following its participation in the British Esports Rocket League Championships for Alternative Provision (AP) Schools, supported by PC Specialist and Fierce PC.

Teacher Michael Kitteridge explains some of the benefits his school as seen in this article.

“Glebe School played in the British Esports Championships for alternative provision schools organised by the British Esports Association.

Three high specification computers were loaned to the school for the spring term 2019 to enable the competition to take place. Every student in the school was encouraged to participate in esports either at the end of their PE lesson or during lunch or break times.

Alongside the inter-school British Esports Championships we also organised an intra-school competition. Every class was asked to complete a questionnaire on how they felt the involvement in esports has made an impact on them across the school.”

Key info:

• Pupils on role: 214
• 208 students from across the school participated in esports
• 102 students competed in the Glebe Championships – taking place during lunchtimes
• 8 students were selected for the team to compete in the British Esports Championships

7 findings from the student survey/questionnaire:

1. 98% of all students who have taken part said they have enjoyed esports. When asked for the reasons why, they said: fun, playing with friends, helping and leading others, not stressful.

2. 96% said esports helped them with their social skills. Reasons stated: sharing equipment, mixing with other students, watching matches with others, communicating by sharing ideas.

3. Personal development – being able to play Rocket League has helped with…

• Attendance – 20% said it made them want to come in to school
• Behaviour – 35% said they behaved better in class
• Concentration and focus – 50% stated an improved level of focus

4. Curriculum – areas where students felt esports has helped support their learning and why:

• Literacy – reading instructions, writing scores and reports, listening and speaking, vocabulary
• Maths and numeracy – time, angles of attack, scoring, league table information
• PE – coordination, strategical thinking, tactics in a match, teamwork, coping with defeat, competing
• ICT – using computers, coding
• Geography – countries, different climates during matches
• Music – listening to different background music

5. Other benefits

• Mental health
• Stress relief
• Fun / feeling good
• A supportive place to be
• Calming down / relaxing
• Sharing ideas
• Feeling more confident

6. Links to careers:

• Professional player
• Design
• Streaming
• Business opportunities
• Animation
• Announcer/shoutcaster
• Event planning

7. 100% of students stated they would like esports to continue.

Further reading:

• Deputy Headteacher explains how esports has transformed her Alternative Provision school: ‘Students are showing commitment we’ve rarely seen in them before’
• British Esports Championships Rocket League AP Schools winner announced
• British Esports teams up with PC Specialist and Fierce PC to offer inclusive esports tournament exclusively for Alternative Provision Schools

“The survey found that esports is good for mental health, stress relief, having fun, relaxing, sharing ideas, confidence and more.””96% of pupils said esports helped them with their social skills.”