Academy “A Very Welcome Addition” as Local School Partnerships Continue to Blossom

Worksop Town Academy’s Schools Partnership Programme has gone from strength to strength over the 2022/2023 academic year, with sessions running in and around the local area almost every day of the week. One such school is St John’s Church of England Academy in Worksop.

“Worksop Town have been invited to St John's this year, to deliver high quality Physical Education alongside our Curriculum Leader and an updated Curriculum plan; to deliver top quality Football sessions combined with CPD for our non-specialist staff.” explained April Bell, the Physical Education at the school. “The staff at WTA are friendly, punctual and professional, taking care to learn the names of the children and to deliver high-end football sessions both for curriculum purposes but also for after school practices.”

“Our up-take in children has been fantastic and the boys and girls are all encouraged to get involved and challenge themselves each week.  We have lots of very happy and very excited children during days when sessions are running, and children of all abilities are thriving at being part of the WTA school/club experience - many going on to join the club on weekends and during school holiday camps (if not join and be part of the club's junior teams).”

The encouragement of children into sport lies at the heart of the Academy’s philosophy, and this feedback shows the value of that encouragement in the local community away from the Windsor Foodservice Stadium, expanding even further to outside of football. April continued, elaborating on the benefit of having qualified and experienced coaches delivering sessions in tandem with the school’s PE team.

“Staff at St John's have noticed the difference a specialist brings to the teaching of a sport, stating that even the weaker children are attempting all aspects of the PE sessions, and that confidence to get involved in improving weekly, thereby leading to increased uptake in extra-curricular clubs after school - not just in football.  Staff have also commented on how they are also starting to develop their own skills by observing and attempting new techniques for discipline in sport and have picked up new ideas for delivery of sport at Primary level.

“As Lead teacher of Physical Education at St John's, I am delighted with the work WTA have put into the school and the investment they have made to deliver high quality football/sports provision to our children, serving the school and in extension, the community.  They are a very welcome addition to our team.”

The final sentiment of Ms Bell’s glowing review is a mutual feeling, as the Academy’s own team continues to grow and flourish in schools, with hopes to expand on an incredibly successful year and add more partners heading into the 23/24 academic year.

For more information on the Worksop Town Academy Schools Partnership Programme, email Jack at partnerships@worksoptownacademy.co.uk