The Northampton Town Football Club Community Trust is looking for local schools to take part in a Premier League programme that uses the appeal of football to inspire young people to learn, be active and develop important life skills.
Northampton Town FC Community Trust has been successfully delivering the Premier League Primary Stars programme to 20 local primary schools during the current academic year; it plans to increase that number to 25 schools next year.
Schools are provided with either a half or full day per week of support and activity that aims to inspire pupils in everything from English and maths, to teamwork and sport. NTFC schools staff work on a range of targeted interventions and whole schools support working with whole classes, small groups and individuals to deliver PE alongside football-themed literacy, PSHE and numeracy lessons.
The charity now wants to hear from local schools interested in signing-up for the next academic year.
Any Northamptonshire-based primary school can express an interest in taking part, with NTFC particularly interested in working with those schools and young people most in need.
Anne Davies, PE Coordinator at Lings Primary School, Northampton, has seen first-hand the positive impact the programme has already had on local pupils and was quick to recommend it to other schools. She said, “We have loved being involved in the Premier League Primary Stars project this year.
“NTFC have been working in Lings Primary School since September and have thoroughly inspired our children to enjoy football and being active. The lunch time club is well attended with over 30 pupils attending from Y3-6 and we have a long waiting list. It has not only improved their ability, coordination and balance skills but also their confidence and interpersonal skills. It’s not just on the sports field that we’ve seen an impact, the Premier League reading stars programme has been a big hit in the school too”
Mrs Davies PE Co-ordinator at Lings Primary has also noticed a significant change in the children's attitude to sport and physical activity too, especially from the girls along with a willingness to try new activities and greater confidence.
Lucan Burge, schools development officer at NTFC CT, hopes local schools will get in touch to find out more about the programme.
He added, “The response and feedback from schools involved so far has been incredibly positive and we can see the impact the project is having on pupils’ health and wellbeing as well as their confidence, behaviour and attainment.”
Places are in high demand each year and with a limited number of places available these will be taken on a first come first served basis.
To find out more, or to sign up your school visit: ntfccommunity.co.uk or email lucan.burge@ntfc.co.uk