RESPONSE and Warriors tackle the classroom

Tuesday, 18 January 2011 00:00

RESPONSE and Glasgow Warriors tackle classroom communication skills to boost children’s confidence.

RESPONSE and Glasgow Warriors are helping primary seven pupils at Scotstoun Primary boost their communication and leadership skills as part of a pioneering workshop to prepare them for the challenges of secondary school.

The leading Glasgow-based contact centre management firm, which is principal sponsor of Glasgow Warriors, arranged the workshop to share the communication and team-working expertise honed by RESPONSE staff at its three sites in the city and by the rugby stars on the pitch.

Donna Morrison, RESPONSE’s Learning and Development Manager, enlisted the help of Glasgow Warriors Johnnie Beattie, Chris Cusiter, Rob Dewey and Calum Forester to give Scotstoun’s primary seven pupils a welcome confidence boost as they prepare to make the daunting transition to secondary school.

The interactive session was designed to show the children the importance of communicating effectively, developing leadership qualities and team working. The skills are an essential part of RESPONSE’s successful contact centre operations, which involves handling thousands of calls and internet enquiries every day and building rewarding relationships with their clients and their customers.

At the close of the workshop the pupils were invited to take part in a question and answer session, giving them an insight into the lives and achievements of their sporting heroes.

Donna Morrison from RESPONSE said: “The children showed incredible enthusiasm and put tremendous effort into the workshop, which certainly helped boost their confidence and focus their minds on the importance of communication and team work. These are vital skills to help them interact with their peers and make new friends in secondary school and beyond.

“Having the Warriors on board was a huge help because these skills are crucial to their success on the field and the children were able to see first hand the qualities that are needed to get to the top.”

Johnnie Beattie from the Warriors added: “We thoroughly enjoyed spending time with the children and showing them what it takes to be a successful team player. I hope that the workshop helped build their confidence and make them more comfortable about facing the challenges ahead.”

Angela Gordon, primary seven teacher at Scotstoun Primary School said: “Moving from primary to secondary school can be quite daunting and the workshop was a great success. The sessions with RESPONSE and the Glasgow Warriors brought some of the children out of their shells and certainly showed me some hidden talents that I would not necessarily see in the classroom.”

The workshop was part of RESPONSE’s ongoing work with the community in partnership with the Glasgow Warriors. Last year RESPONSE extended its sponsorship deal with the Warriors until 2012.