Maple Hayes Dyslexia School pupils well above par at Golf course

Sporty pupils at Maple Hayes school in Lichfield have teamed up with two golfing pros and taught everything from learning to swing to staying on the green.

Children at the  specialist dyslexic school in Lichfield ‘teed off’ their six weeks of lessons by being taught golfing basics, from holding the club, stance, swing, direction and distance all the way to being able to drive the ball.

Branston Golf and Country Club's golf professionals Paul Hebdon and Steve Hadfield also gave students an insight into into the ‘Golfers Code’ - and taught that manners and etiquette are just as important as being able to putt and drive.

Steve Hadfield summed up the success of the Maple Hayes golf sessions and said: “At Branston we specialise in encouraging young people to gain the sporting and social benefits of golf, including fitness, standards of behaviour, honesty and respect. The success of our outreach programme to schools like Maple Hayes across southern Staffordshire and the West Midlands is testament to the talent of Branston's team of professionals.”

Golf is one of a number of sports that help dyslexia sufferers with their hand-eye co-ordination and this scheme has given students at the school a taster into a sport that they may well have never tried before.

The final part of the course involved the students being able to showcase their talents on the full Staffordshire-based 18-hole course.

Headteacher Dr Daryl Brown said: “Our pupils really enjoyed the experience and it was a chance for them to try out a new sport, learn new skills and above all have fun. We want to thank the golfing pros from Branston Golf and Country Club for their hard work and sharing their skills with us.”

The school, which has a roll of 120 students aged between seven and 17-years-old, was founded in 1982 by Dr Neville Brown, the school Principal.