Barrow Bluebirds Study Centre will be marking a year of 'Playing for Success' tomorrow (Friday 27 April) with a day of celebration for local children and families.
The national Playing for Success scheme is a partnership between local education authorities, the DfES, the Football Association and the Premier and Nationwide Leagues. The Barrow scheme is run by the Bluebird Study Centre and provides out of hours study support sessions for young people from local schools. The scheme is also about strengthening the link between the club and the local community.
The young people on the scheme are identified by their school as needing a boost to help them get back up to speed in literacy, numeracy and Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
At the Bluebird Study Centre at Barrow AFC, up to 15 pupils at a time from local schools attend over 10 weeks, giving them 20 hours of out-of-school study support. The sessions take place during the week, after regular school hours, and focus on Key Stage 2 and 3 work.
On Friday the centre will be celebrating a first year that has been a great success by opening its doors to local families and their children and inviting them to take part in a range of physical activities. These include 'tick tack', hat dance sessions, cross fire and scissors as well as coaching sessions that will help develop a wide range of football skills.
Neil Douglas is a Playing For Success teacher at the centre. He said:
"I have been here since the centre opened and everything is beginning to gel and the centre is really thriving.
"The feedback we have had from the children, their parents and the schools has been absolutely excellent. We have motivated these youngsters and improved their self confidence, which in turn has improved their levels of achievement at school.
"We are delighted to be celebrating the centre's first anniversary."
Neil McDonald is the Vice Chairman of Barrow AFC. He said:
"The benefit this centre has brought to these children has been absolutely fantastic and our links with the community and schools have gone from strength to strength.
Councillor Philip Chappelhow is Cumbria County Council's Cabinet Member for Children's Services. He said:
"Research into Playing for Success has shown that the centres taking part in the scheme offer quality study support. They are also excellent, cost effective means of raising standards in literacy, numeracy and ICT.
"I would like to congratulate the Bluebird Study Centre on the first of what I am sure will be many years of success."
ENDS
Further information from Neil Douglas, Bluebird Study Centre, on 01229 825759
Notes
The Bluebird Study Centre in Barrow is the second in Cumbria, and follows on from the success of the one linked to Carlisle United.
Children who attend the centre regularly qualify for match tickets.
Club directors and players join with the children, parents and schools staff to celebrate the children's achievements at a presentation evening at the end of the 10 week programme