Last September, Mr Wheatley launched a lunchtime Chess Club in the Library where students of all abilities could learn how to play and develop their skills. Starting with just a few keen amateurs, the club is now attended by a number of regular chess players who have now become highly skilled.

It has been proven through numerous studies that children and young people achieve a higher reading level, mathematics level and a greater learning ability overall as a result of playing chess. Through chess, we learn how to analyse a situation by focusing on the most important factors, and by eliminating distractions; these skills are useful to us all in every day life. Plus, we learn to devise creative solutions and put a plan into action. For all these reasons and more, chess playing students do better at school and therefore have a better chance to succeed in life. Aside from developing cognitive skills, chess also helps improve focus and problem-solving skills, and playing develops high level social skills including learning fair play, self-respect and respect for others, patience and tolerance, and understanding others' perspectives.