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To celebrate the Premier League’s More Than A Game campaign this season, we’re exploring the profound impact of Premier League-funded programmes in our community—reaffirming that football is more than just a game.

Nottingham Forest Community Trust is proud to deliver the Premier League Primary Stars programme to St Ann’s Well Academy, where both pupils and staff have experienced transformative benefits.

The programme, led by Premier League Primary Stars Coordinator Megan, has not only enhanced physical education but also enriched reading skills, creating impact across the school.

Premier League Primary Stars is the Premier League’s primary school education programme. Funded by the Premier League, through the Premier League Charitable Fund, the programme uses the appeal of football to help children to be active and develop essential live skills.

Bespoke PE and Curriculum Support

Megan has played a pivotal role in advancing PE at St Ann’s Well Academy.

Collaborating closely with staff, she helped design a tailored PE curriculum that meets the unique needs of the school. Her efforts have also supported the transition of Alison Thompson, a Year 5 teacher, into her role as PE Coordinator.

“Engagement is always good with Megan,” Alison shared.

“The students respect her and have confidence in her knowledge of sport, which enhances their enjoyment.

“I’ve developed my skills, learned new techniques, and seen an increase in participation and involvement across the board.”

Megan’s guidance extended to events like sports day and the integration of new sports into after-school clubs. These clubs, which previously didn’t exist, now provide students with opportunities to try a variety of sports, encouraging more active lifestyles.

Building Literacy Skills Through Sport

Beyond PE, the programme has enabled the school to champion literacy by encouraging reading in the classroom.

In a community facing socio-economic challenges, this focus on reading is vital.

The programme engages with pupils in Years 1, 2, 4, and 5, blending sports and literacy to create engaging and educational sessions.

Pupils’ Experiences

The pupils at St Ann’s Well Academy have embraced the Premier League Primary Stars sessions with enthusiasm.

They particularly enjoy basketball and appreciate how the sessions make them feel stronger and more confident.

The structure of the lessons, which often combines games, skill development, and play, has been tailored to suit their preferences and learning styles.

Pupils have found the activities to be more intense and challenging, pushing them to improve their techniques and perform better during games.

Being active with friends has become a favourite aspect of the programme.

Many pupils describe sports as their favourite subject, not only because it helps them stay fit but also because it’s engaging and fun.

The sessions emphasise teamwork, fun, and trying their best, creating an environment where everyone feels involved and motivated, reaffirming the programme’s values – be fair, be ambitious, be inspiring and be connected.