This week students returned to the Study Centre to continue with their Playing for Success programme after their half term break. 

We saw mixed emotions from the students this week as they displayed a combination of excitement and nervousness at interviewing Curtis Osano, Michael Corcoran, Jake Beecroft and Aynsley McDonald from Rushden and Diamonds first team, as well as prospective future stars in Lewis Hallford, Jack Higgins, Adam Sharpe and George Cox from the Rushden and Diamonds Academy. 

All the students showed great maturity when asking the players questions about themselves and the opportunity of talking to the footballers had clearly motivated the students to complete their follow up work of producing a write up of the interviews.  The interview activity and the follow up work proved to be an extremely worthwhile exercise in the improvement of their speaking, listening and writing skills in a very enjoyable way.

 Students from Higham Ferrers Junior School interview Aynsley and Lewis 

  Students from Irthlingborough Junior School interview Curtis and George

  Students ffom Ferrers Art College interview Jack and Adam.

Some comments from our young learners:

Joshua: “It was really good because it was my first time meeting the players, I was like ‘Oh my gosh, I can’t believe it’s them’, I was really excited.”

Chelsea: “I enjoyed it because I had never met any of the players and it was really fun.”

Callum: “It was good because you got to actually get to know the players and get to know their personalities.”

Bradley:  “It was really good fun and I wish I could do it again!”

Helen Thompson, from Rushden and Diamonds Football Club said, ” We are delighted to be able to participate at our State of the Art Study Centre in this initiative again this term.  The schoolchildren really do benefit from learning in a less traditional setting and we hope that this experience will motivate and spur them on to achieving higher standards.  The children involved have told us they enjoyed it, and the players did too so a big thank you to all those involved.”

Next week:  Robolab - make and control a robot buggy using computer software!