Kirkintilloch High School changing room refurb

“I hated getting changed. The room was dull and felt dirty - it was horrible to get changed in.  There was never any toilet paper or paper towels at the sinks.  And we didn't even have any mirrors which didn’t make me want to do PE.”  

S3 Girls

From the Fit For Girls survey we found 17% of S2/3 girls believed the facilities for PE were not good. We discussed this with the girls and found out that they were in fact referring to their changing area. The girls were sure that they would feel better about coming to PE and getting changed if the environment was improved.

Project detailsProject duration: 01 November 2009 - ongoing
Organisation: 
Kirkintilloch High School
Project name: 
Fit For Girls
AudienceSchool
Age group: 
0 - 15
Innovation
The Fit For Girls Kirkintilloch project started with a feedback session where the girls compiled a ‘wish list’ for changes to the changing room facilities. We then negotiated with the students and agreed on what would be realistically achievable and would make the biggest difference to them. Ten S3 girls volunteered to stay after school on a Friday afternoon to make the changes; none of these girls had attended any extra-curricular clubs before. Graffiti was removed, canvases painted and walls brightened with positive images of women and girls involved in sport. The after-care and upkeep of the new changing facilities has been remarkable. There are no longer the same issues about mess and graffiti and lack of respect for this part of the school. The staff have not needed to remind the girls to look after this space and to date it is kept in a manner which is acceptable to all using it.
Location
Local
How was your project delivered?Facilities upgrade
Funding
The make-over was financed through a combination of funding from Fit For Girls and an allocation from the School Facilities budget.
Results
Lessons: 
The impact has been positive and immediate. All of the girls who use this area love the changes and are taking much greater care of the room. There is no graffiti and there has been no difficulty with toilets or sinks being blocked now that toilet paper and paper towels are readily available. Mirrors will soon be added to complete the project. We have yet to do the follow up Fit For Girls questionnaire which would be able to produce evidence in change of attitude to PE by girls. However, the class registers on a weekly basis have demonstrated that there are less girls NOT taking part than before the make-over of the changing rooms and staff do not have the same issues in persuading girls to get changed to take part in class. This is a positive step forward for girls and staff in the department. “It is brighter … a lot more colourful ... nicer to get changed in ... feels much cleaner … much better not asking teachers for toilet paper ... now we want to go to PE … it is girly, bright and eye catching and there is always toilet paper.” S3 Girls “If was fantastic to see these girls getting involved. Working together, making their ideas a reality especially at 6pm on a Friday night!” PE teacher
Evaluation: 
The project worked because the girls felt their concerns had been listened to, they contributed to the decision making process, they were given the chance to get involved to make the difference and those who were involved had great fun during the make-over (music, chat, hard work, pizza and lots of laughs!). They could see that their words had quickly turned into action; they definitely felt a sense of ‘ownership’ of their facility.
Themes
Facilities Using feedback from our students, the Fit For Girls Kirkintilloch project focussed on improving the changing room facilities. The facilities were noted as the biggest barrier to lack of PE attendance. We painted the changing room, added hand painted canvasses to dress the walls and provided an abundance of toilet paper, paper towel and other items to make the girls feel more positive about PE. The next step is installing new mirrors.
Key links: 
Kirkintilloch High School