Chess Rising Stars helps pupils develop their chess skills through expert instruction, regular practice and opportunities to compete.
We deliver engaging, structured chess clubs at primary and secondary schools across London. Since 2017, our experienced coaches have taught breakfast, lunchtime and after-school clubs.
We believe chess is easy to play, fun to learn and full of secrets to discover. Our pupils and partner schools have achieved individual and team successes, including reaching the 2023 National Primary Schools’ Chess Championships finals.
Interested in starting a chess club at your school? Contact our Team to discuss your school’s requirements and how we could support your pupils.
Sample Learning Outcomes
- Introduction: Welcome to the world of chess. The history and objective of chess
- Chess pieces and how they move
- Getting off to a good start: Control the centre, development and King safety
- Special moves: Pawn promotion, en passant, castling
- Chess language and notation: Learn to write the moves
- Tactics to attack and defend
- Middlegame and endgame strategies
- Opening traps and how to prevent them
- Chess etiquette and tournament rules
Competitive Experience
During the final 20-25 minutes of each session, the pupils will play against one another, practising the skills they have learned during our lessons under the supervision of an expert coach.
We offer a pathway to encourage the formation of a school chess team. We can begin by arranging an internal tournament and friendly matches with local partner schools. Then, with the support of our coaches and parents, we recommend suitable local junior chess tournaments for individual players. Finally, we help schools build a team ready to enter official competitions, such as the National Primary Schools’ Chess Championships.
Chess Workshops
Chess Rising Stars coaches also have experience planning and teaching longer workshop sessions for pupils. A chess workshop is an excellent addition to an ‘activities week’ or end of term programme. Our coaches have received positive feedback both from their pupils and senior teaching staff. Several London schools have invited us back to deliver further workshops.
“We really appreciate you coming and delivering a session that was accessible to all, regardless of their prior exposure to the game … We felt they learnt so much in the short time they spent with you.”
Activities week organiser at a girls’ secondary school in South London
Club Organisation
- Our pupils will progress gradually through the rules and strategy of chess with plenty of opportunities to practise.
- Our coaches hold chess teaching qualifications from the English Chess Federation (ECF) and World Chess Federation (FIDE).
- We have an extensive database of teaching resources, compiled since 2017, including puzzles, mini-games and activities to support learning for all chess levels.
- Lessons can be taught using a traditional demonstration board or a classroom’s interactive whiteboard.
- Pupils are offered ChessKid accounts to use at home between their lessons.
- We can arrange for club equipment to be purchased through our supplier.
- Chess Rising Stars keeps in regular contact with school staff to improve our provision based on their feedback.
Safeguarding
- We follow the Department for Education’s ‘After-school clubs, community activities, and tuition: Safeguarding guidance for providers’.
- Our coaches hold current enhanced DBS checks plus the relevant Safeguarding certifications.
- We maintain a termly updated staff cover rota to support continuity when a regular coach is absent.
- Our Safeguarding Policy and staff Code of Conduct are reviewed annually.
- Additional policy and insurance documentation is available on request.
Read our Terms and Conditions.
Bring a tailored chess programme to your school:
