In January 2014 we set up a Facebook Group in order to get information out to parents and pupils about events/fixtures etc. We quickly realised that Facebook could actually be a valuable learning tool! We then set about planning a way to use Facebook to engage our pupils in the theoretical side to PE using social media as a platform. We all know that today’s pupils all have access to mobile phones and the internet. So without spending fortunes on expensive online programs, Facebook provides us with a ready-made teaching space. We have used the Facebook profile and group to place videos and other digital content online for the class/group to view and then answer questions on the Facebook group itself. This has proven to be a brilliant starter activity for every pupil and has enabled us to accelerate learning. Pupil engagement surprised us! We knew they would be excited about using Facebook, but the response has been phenomenal! All of our pupils regardless of ability really engaged with the pilot module we developed for the Facebook project. Our project got national attention and recognition at the Education summit in London as well as numerous press releases from Facebook and the Education Foundation. We are now looking to roll this out to all of our GCSE classes as well as Level 3 courses and beyond. If anyone would like any further information or guidance on our project or anything we can help you with in setting up your Facebook learning space, please do not hesitate to get in touch! Stuart Manifould Curriculum Leader for PE & Sport Manchester Enterprise Academy.

1. “Facebook has hugely benefited an extremely
diverse cohort of pupils. We will continue to
use Facebook to engage pupils in Physical
Education and make learning interactive and
informative.”
Stuart Manifould – Curriculum Leader for PE