Wakefield
Wildcats Learning Zone
‘Playing for Success’ was
launched in 1997 as a partnership between the FA Premier
League and the Government. Plans were announced to
open out-of-school hours Study Support Centres at football
club grounds.
Mark Winder (Centre Manager) shows
young people Belle Vue, the home of Wakefield Wildcats.
Wakefield Metropolitan District Council joined forces
with the Wakefield Wildcats to launch the ‘Playing
for Success’ scheme for Wakefield and District.
The Learning Zone Centre officially opened at Belle
Vue in December 2006. The centre focuses on raising
standards
in literacy, numeracy and ICT skills for young people
in the Wakefield District. It will work mainly with
students between the ages of 9 to 14 who have been
identified
as at risk of underachieving. The Learning Zone works
in partnership with local schools, to help provide
a positive educational experience for young people
and
an opportunity for pupils to develop fresh identities
as learners.
The centre contains facilities such as state of the art
computers and a wide-screen television. The children
attend the Learning Zone for one afternoon per week after
school, and their activities include a stadium tour,
working on computer programmes such as Education City,
writing poetry and partaking in a question and answer
session with the Wildcat players.
By harnessing the brand names of Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
alongside the vision and support of Wakefield Metropolitan
District Council, the centre aims to:
• Raise aspirations
• Develop self-esteem
• Raise confidence levels
• Foster independent learning
• Provide a positive educational experience
David Longo (Lead Mentor) introduces
a numeracy activity to young people using actual Wildcats
playing shirts.
Mark
Winder, Learning Zone Manager, told us, “We
are about learning rather than teaching and place the
building of positive self-esteem and self-belief at the
heart of our practice. We are aware that self-esteem
and self-belief are not inherited, they are learnt. Through
placing pupils in a supportive environment, with good
role models and with work programmes which are achievable,
we aim to develop positive self-image.” He continued, “It
is our intent to organise for success so that any and
every pupil can succeed. Our interactions with pupils
at group or individual level are based on positive communication
and praise. The Wakefield Trinity Learning Zone is a ‘no-put
down zone.’ Our interactions with pupils are
based on positive on communication and praise.”
“
In working towards these educational goals with local
young people,” Mark concluded, “we will
make full use of the positive effect created by an
association
with both Wakefield Council and a successful Super
League Club like the Wildcats.”
Wildcats Chief Executive Steve Ferres said: “This
is a fantastic partnership between the Wakefield Wildcats
and Wakefield Council. It is a state of the art learning
environment which I am sure will help many children
from Wakefield in the future.”
www.wakefieldwildcats.co.uk |
