Latest News

Nottingham Forest Community Trust (NFCT) is celebrating the outstanding impact of the Premier League Inspires programme, which is delivering life-changing results for secondary school pupils across the region.

A new, independent evaluation by Sheffield Hallam University highlights the programme’s exceptional success in boosting engagement, dramatically improving behaviour, and combating absenteeism.

The Premier League Inspires programme, delivered locally by NFCT and nationally by football club charities, is a targeted intervention using the power of the Premier League to equip young people aged 11-18 with the personal skills and positive attitudes needed to succeed in life.

The recent evaluation of the 2023-25 academic years confirms that the programme’s approach is not just a ‘hook’ and is a fundamental intervention that works.

Key Findings and Impact on Pupils:

1. Significant Improvement in Behaviour and Conduct

The data demonstrates that the focused, personalised support delivered by mentors is helping young people re-engage with the structure and expectations of school life.

→92% of schools involved in the evaluation reported that Premier League Inspires helped to improve participants’ overall behaviour.

→Participants showed a profound shift in mindset, recording a 22% average increase in positive behaviour points across the academic year.

→Critically, pupils demonstrated a marked decrease in negative behaviour points over the course of the programme. One Year 9 pupil noted a profound change: “Before I was messing around in class. (Since joining Premier League Inspires) I have not had any ‘resets’ or suspensions this year. I feel happier at school now”.

2. Tackling Absenteeism and Reducing Exclusion Risk

In a time when persistent school absence remains a significant national issue, the programme is proving to be a powerful tool for encouraging attendance and keeping students on the path to success.

→86% of schools stated that the programme is helping to reduce participants’ risk of exclusion from school.

→Nearly four out of five schools (79%) reported that Premier League Inspires is actively helping to reduce pupil absenteeism.

→For the pupils with the lowest attendance (under 50%) – those most at risk – the programme resulted in improved attendance overall and throughout the year, proving its efficacy as an essential early intervention tool.

3. Boosting Confidence and Engagement

At the core of the programme is the ability of football club charity staff to build trusting, supportive relationships through dedicated one-to-one mentoring. This approach drives personal development and engagement that schools are often unable to deliver alone.

→An outstanding 96% of schools reported that the programme is helping to improve participants’ engagement in class.

→School leads noted that the programme significantly boosted the confidence and increased the self-esteem of pupils.

→The use of our external mentors provides pupils with a vital sense of purpose and an opportunity to shine in ways they had not before, developing a sense of community and pride.

A Service Schools Value and Depend On

The independent report highlighted that the specialised nature of the delivery by professional football club charities like NFCT is indispensable to schools:

→92% of schools confirmed that Premier League Inspires provides a service they are unable to deliver themselves.

→The delivery model – which includes face-to-face mentoring, workshops, and social-action projects – offers the specialised expertise and a fresh perspective that supports school staff in building relationships with pupils.

Jordan Ferrer, Schools Manager at Nottingham Forest Community Trust, said, “The findings from this evaluation provide a key insight into the impact Premier League Inspires has in schools across Nottinghamshire and the rest of the country.

“We are proud to be delivering a programme that leads to a significant increase in positive behaviour and a clear reduction in exclusion risk among our most vulnerable pupils.

“Our dedicated Nottingham Forest Community Trust mentors are using their skills, expertise and the backing of Forest to build the trust needed to get these young people re-engaged, boosting their confidence and setting them firmly on the right path.”

Read the full Premier League Inspires Evaluation Report, conducted by Sheffield Hallam University for the Premier League Charitable Fund here.