Young footballers get help from professionals at Telford school

Pupils picked up tips from the professionals when coaching stars from Shrewsbury Town Football Club visited their school.

Tom Peevor, development manager at Shrewsbury Town Football Club, pictured with brother and sister Alfie and Ellie White, aged nine and seven, along with fellow pupils at Muxton Primary School, Telford, as they take part in a football training session

Muxton Primary School, in Telford, has signed up to a scheme launched by the Premier League which uses the appeal of football to inspire children to learn, be active and develop important life skills.

The school runs lunchtime football classes as part of the Premier League Primary Stars scheme and staff from Shrewsbury Town FC were invited to run coaching sessions with pupils yesterday morning.

Tom Peevor, development manager at Shrewsbury Town FC, was one of the guests invited to the school.

Andy Hughes, PE co-ordinator at Muxton Primary School, said: "We've only just started the scheme this term.

"We do football classes at lunchtimes to help children from years one to six to develop individual skills, with all abilities.

"We wanted Shrewsbury Town to come in and run a morning of football sessions and for it to be a bit of an inspiration for the children.

"We hoped it would be a fun session to help them improve their football skills and help them with their confidence."

More than 20 children took part in yesterday's coaching sessions and about 50 pupils now take part in the lunchtime football classes.

Mr Hughes said: "It was great. They were good with the children and the children really responded well.

"They also got the chance to ask them questions about healthy living."

Teaching materials offered by the Premier League Primary Stars scheme cover subjects from English and Maths to teamwork and PE, with free to download activity ideas, worksheets and lesson plans.

Professional football club staff work with teachers to deliver fun, educational sessions in a range of subjects within schools.

The resources, which link to the national curriculum, have been developed in partnership with primary school teachers and subject experts, such as the PSHE Association and National Literacy Trust.

Club support and online resources are also designed to help primary school teachers improve their confidence and skills in delivering PE lessons.

Registered schools have the opportunity to apply for free kit, equipment and books from celebrated children’s authors.

All schools that register receive a free values incentive pack with stickers and certificates to reward positive behaviour and achievements.

For more information, visit https://plprimarystars.com/