Ferrers Specialist Arts College spend a day at the Diamonds Study Centre in preparation for GCSE examinations.

 A group consisting of four staff and forty-four Year Eleven pupils from Ferrers Specialist Arts College spent the whole day at the Diamonds Study Centre on Wednesday 19^th December 2007. The aim of the day was part of the schools drive to raise standards in Maths and a target group of students focused on their GCSE coursework in preparation for their forthcoming examinations.

  The day was a huge success as students commented on their ability to focus on their work within a completely different learning environment. Alex Rudgalvis, aged 16 said, “we had a really good time in a relaxed environment but work was always the priority!” Sasha Leone, aged 15 said, “I thought it was a very interesting approach towards Maths and it was really good!” To add to the excitement of the day the group were given a guided tour of the Nene Park stadium and they were also served with a buffet lunch by the chefs in the players’ restaurant, which is adjacent to the Study Centre classroom.

Rob Jones, Diamonds Study Centre Manager said, “the newly refurbished classroom is an ideal venue for such an activity and the location of the centre, with its panoramic views over the Stadium Complex, the river and the fields beyond, adds to the “wow” factor!”

Helen Thompson, Chief Executive at Rushden & Diamonds said ” We have written to all the local schools and colleges in an effort to engage their interest in what we have to offer at Nene Park.As well as the 44 students who came for the specialist maths day, we also have teams of media students from Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire schools coming in to work with Radio Diamonds and the Sports Centre.It is mutually beneficial to all concerned.”

The Diamonds Study Centre held its Presentation Evening on Tuesday December 4th to celebrate the end of the Autumn term of “Playing for Success” sessions. The event took place as part of the National ‘Playing for Success’ open week for the 153 study centres, based at professional sports clubs across the country. It coincided with both the tenth anniversary of the scheme and the official opening of the latest centre within the new Wembley Stadium.

The sessions have been run in the evenings at the Study Centre as part of a national government initiative with the aims being to improve the childrens standards in Numeracy, Literacy and Information Technology as well as to boost their confidence and self-esteem through the use of football related activities.

The scheme involves a partnership between the Department for Children, Schools and Families, Northamptonshire County Council, the Football Foundation and Rushden & Diamonds F.C. The Presentation Evening for the Diamonds Study Centre was held in the VP Lounge at Rushden & Diamonds Football Club. The room was full as relatives and teachers witnessed 86 youngsters, aged between 9 and 14 years, being presented with their certificates by Rushden & Diamonds players Anthony Weston and Andrew Tidswell.

 The schools involved in the scheme this term have all come from the local area, namely Ferrers, Manor and Huxlow Secondary Schools plus Higham Ferrers, Great Addington and Irthlingborough Junior Schools.

Ferrers Arts College collect their certificates.

Great Addington Primary School collect their certificates.

Higham Ferrers Junior School collect their certificates.

Huxlow Science College collect their certificates.

 Irthlingborough Junior School collect their certificates.

 Manor Sports College collect their certificates.

Study Centre Manager Rob Jones said, “The Presentation Evening was a superb occasion for all concerned. The youngsters have been a credit to their families and their schools and the tremendous turnout reflected the high regard that has been shown for the Playing for Success initiative. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the head teachers for their assistance and to commend Rushden & Diamonds Football Club for its involvement with the local community and the support it has given to the Study Centre during this academic term.”

Rushden & Diamonds Chief Executive Helen Thompson said. “We are delighted to continue to sponsor the use of the Study Centre premises for the benefit of our younger generation. We would also like to extend our thanks to all those volunteers attached to the Football Club, as without their patronage and help, we would not be able to run this scheme”.

An example of Huxlow Science Colleges work !

An example of Higham Junior Schools work !  

During the course of the “Playing for Success” term at the Diamonds Study Centre a week was set aside for local school pupils to interview Rushden & Diamonds players. The students were from year eight at Manor Sports College, Ferrers Arts College and Huxlow Science College, as well as Year 5 pupils from Irthlingborough, Higham Ferrers and Great Addington Junior Schools along with a group of looked after children from the local community.

They all had a great time interviewing the first team players Chris Hope, Simeon Jackson, Marcus Kelly, Jake Beecroft, Michael Rankine, Abdou El-Kholti and Alex Bolt as well as some of the clubs prospective future stars in Ben Nunn, Sam Smith and Joe Day.

“Playing for Success”is a project which forms part of a national initiative that involves a partnership between the D.C.S.F. (Department for Children, Schools and Families) the County Council and Rushden & Diamonds Football Club and one of its major objectives is to raise standards in literacy.

 The interview activity and the follow up work proved to be an invaluable exercise in the improvement of the students speaking, listening and writing skills in a very enjoyable way.

Chief Executive Helen Thompson said “I know that the children enjoy this activity immensely and in fact ask some searching questions of the players which at times causes some surprises!The notes that the children produce as a result of the interviews are excellent and this is a very worthwhile activity for all concerned.”

Following a successful bid to the government’s ‘Department for Schools, Children and Families’ which oversees the ‘Playing for Success’ initiative in partnership with Northamptonshire County Council and Rushden & Diamonds Football Club, the Diamonds Study Centre has undergone major refurbishment over the past fortnight. Rob Jones the Study Centre Manager secured a ‘Quality, Development and Sustainability Fund’ Grant for £20,000 and this QDSF money has been directed into updating the technological capabilities within the main classroom.

The grant is only made available for acceptable capital projects and the money has been used to update ageing desks, a failing server and older computers. The new look centre is equipped with the most up to date server and flip screen monitors, which pop up from the brand new computer compatible desks.

Study Centre Manager Rob Jones said, “The update has certainly increased the “wow” factor within the centre and will undoubtedly have a major impact on both the teaching and learning environment. An added bonus has been that the slim line desks afford far more available space within the centre. This has allowed us to introduce additional seating and laptop computers into the teaching area which means that a whole class of students can now make use of the centre.”

Rushden & Diamonds Chief Executive Helen Thompson said “With the ever increasing popularity and usage of the facility, we are delighted that the Study Centre is now able to accommodate a whole class of students.This gives Northamptonshire County Council and ourselves far greater opportunities to offer special learning experiences here in the Diamonds Sports Centre.”

 Over the past nine weeks a scheme called  “Coaching for Life”  has been running at Rushden and Diamonds  Football Club. Connexions and Rushden & Diamonds joined together in a unique project aimed at young people aged between 16 and 19 who are unemployed in the local area. It is aimed at those youngsters who wish to make a positive contribution as well as keeping themselves fit at the same time.    

Coaching for Life gives young people the opportunity to use the established “Playing for Success” programme at the Rushden & Diamonds Study Centre, which includes basic numeracy, literacy and ICT skills as well as raising self esteem and confidence building. Young people also have the opportunity to work on life skills, working with others, problem solving as well as job searching and CV writing, a first aid certificate will also be gained.

After the hard work in the study centre young people are coached by professional coaches from Rushden & Diamonds in order to improve football skills such as shooting, passing and heading to name a few.

The last week was on the 4^th February with young people voting for best sportsman and most improved player. The final presentation for the project was on the 9^th February with the young people watching the Halifax game and then being presented with certificates at half-time for their hard work and commitment.

The lads are shown around the stadium.

Helen Thompson, Chief Executive at Rushden & Diamonds said, “We would like to thank Paul White from Connexions and Northants County Council for their help with this course. It is great that people have had the opportunity to come and work in our state of the art Study Centre located in the Diamonds Sports Complex and follow this up with some practical ideas and suggestions. We have some fantastic facilities here - in fact, I often think that this is one of the best-kept secrets in East Northamptonshire. Come and see what there is on offer! You will be amazed!!”

Paul White from Connexions Northamptonshire said “Some of the young people are now looking to move on to their F.A. Level One Coaching Badge, a great reflection on the coaching, study centre and Football Club’s approach to this. We would like to thank Rob Jones from the Study Centre, Steve Bampfield from R&D Coaching and Helen Thompson from the Club for their continued support over the last weeks, with further projects being proposed in future.”