As a final year trainee teacher and sibling of Chris, this experience provided the inspiration needed for sister Katie Middlehurst’s small scale research project. Katie, who is studying at Edge Hill University, aimed to conduct research into how to motivate young boy’s to write… and what better way to do it than using such a young and talented racing driver?
During the first session, the children explored various newspaper reports that had been written about Chris and features in the local paper The Star. This allowed the children to find out background information about Chris. Following this, the children watched a video clip of Chris racing in Round 2 of the Protyre Formula Renault BARC Winter Series, which was broadcasted on ITV4. As a result, the children became extremely captivated and raised many questions that they would like to ask Chris.
Subsequently, when Katie arrived to implement the second session, the children appeared extremely excited at the thought that they might get to meet Chris. Therefore, when Chris arrived half way through the session, the children could not wait to begin their interviews. After the session, all of the children even requested autographs and photographs with the ‘celebrity’!
Next, the children planned their newspaper and wrote their own newspaper reports on the race. Throughout this activity, the children enjoyed writing about Chris and creating examples of word play such as, ‘With a need for speed, throughout the 18 lap race, Chris was fast and furious’.
Through reflecting upon the results of the sessions and children’s questionnaires, it was clear that as well as positively impacting upon the children’s attainment of and attitudes towards writing; Chris had provided a valuable, memorable and inspirational experience for the young boys.