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Liverpool

The Belvedere Academy, Liverpool:

Addressing Changing Room Anxieties with PE Kit Days.

The Belvedere Academy, a secondary school in Toxteth, Liverpool have worked with their girls to address PE kit and changing issues that were affecting participation.
Their current changing rooms consist of a big open space with toilets that the girls were using as changing cubicles, because they did not like to get changed in front of their peers.
The school agreed that pupils can come into school wearing their PE kit on PE days to avoid anxiety related to changing, however they also provide choice for those who want to change to be able to do so too.
The change was trialled with Year 11 pupils initially and worked well, with PE teachers discussing hygiene issues required at the end of lessons. Many pupils now bring another PE top and / or use deodorant.
As a result of the success, the scheme has been promoted across the whole school with nearly 100% of pupils now being in kit in every lesson.
Staff had positive praise from parents at a recent Parents Evening noting the change really supported autistic pupils, reducing pressure around changing and the organisation and management of uniform.
It has also ensured there is less washing of spare kit required by school and not as much lost property related to PE kit and school uniform items.