Our history so far...
Developing a Corporate Image for Study United FC
Very early on, even before the existing Centre in the Sponsor’s Lounge was fully operational, the Steering Group felt that it was necessary for the project to develop an identity all of its own and one that was separate from that of the Club and of the Football in the Community Scheme.
A member of the Teaching Development Group, who produced the initial ideas for the curriculum, thought up the name of ‘Study United FC’ to set us on our way. You’ll notice that the initials, SUFC, are the same as those of the club – Scunthorpe United Football Club (SUFC).
Once we had decided the name of the Centre we felt that the next step was to establish a corporate identity through the production of a range of resources and stationery items, beginning with the development of a logo.
The Study United FC Logo
Local children from the Scunthorpe area were consulted and asked for their ideas for the development of a logo for Study United. A number of very exciting ideas were produced that included drawings of football players, goal mouths, balls etc. Further groups of children were asked to vote for their favourites and it was revealed that most children liked the designs based on a round badge theme.
Innovative Graphics, the Hull based graphic design company, kindly worked on the ideas and interpreted them into the round badge shaped design that you see as part of our identity.
The tick (of success) represents a bouncing ball shooting high, showing that all pupils can potentially aim high and achieve their goal.
The tick was incorporated into a further logo that has been used in our letter heading and banners and includes the Playing for Success legend.
The Kit Bag
Rather than keep pupils’ work in a traditional workbook or ring binder folder that would appear too ‘school-like’ a specially designed ‘kit bag’ has been produced to store work in progress.
At the end of the ten week session, pupils take part in a celebratory event sometimes attended by the players. The learners are presented with Certificates of Attendance, bearing the logos of course! The pupils also receive their attendance cards, pens, pencils and rulers.
From an early newsletter:
Celebrations to Mark News of Study Centre Development
Seen here, at Scunthorpe United v Blackpool are: Scunthorpe United Chief Executive, Don Rowing and Chairman, Steve Wharton confirming the partnership with Cllr Andrea Deas and David Leas, Assistant Director of Education, from North Lincolnshire Council, also in attendance were: Lee Turnbull, Football In the Community and Steering Group members Jo Leedham and Angeline Mather ( shame it wasn‘t a double celebration, as the Iron went down 3-2).
Playing for Success (PfS) is a Department for Education and Skills (DfES) initiative, established in 1997 by the department in partnership with the FA Premier League, the Nationwide League, their clubs and Local Education Authorities (LEAs).
Through PfS, the DfES has established out-of-school hours’ study support centres within football clubs and at other sports clubs’ grounds and venues.
The centres use the environment and medium of football, rugby and other sports to help motivate pupils identified by their schools, as being in need of a boost to help them get back to speed in literacy, numeracy and ICT.
The Centres are equipped with state of the art ICT equipment and staffed by a centre manager (an experienced teacher) supported by tutors/ mentors drawn mainly from local further education colleges and universities. They all use a variety of teaching methods and resources, to supplement and support the learning of the National Curriculum.
The centre at Leeds United’s Elland Road ground has boosted literacy rates by 20 per cent in some children. A point to make is that they go to the Centre AFTER their school day!!!
For the past two years there has been a Steering Group that has been looking at the development of Playing For Success Centre at Scunthorpe United.
In 2001, a New Opportunities Grant was awarded to the Council for Out Of School Hours Learning. Working with 11 schools in North Lincolnshire a small ICT Suite ( 10 computers), in the Sponsors Lounge, has been established. This centre was awarded Associate Membership of the PfS scheme. Launched in May 2002, the Centre becomes ‘live’on Monday 11th November 2002 and young people will start attending the Centre after school hours.
The Learning programme has been developed by a group of teachers from North Lincolnshire who enjoyed a three day placement to undertake this project. The young people have now got a superb programme to follow, a big thank- you to them. Also, our thanks, to Mr Keith Leedham , a teacher at Winterton Junior School, who gave us our name - Study United F.C. ( S.U.F.C – spot the connection!!!!)
All the challenges that are set are related to the game of football. For example, ‘Spend Ya Dosh’ is an exciting maths challenge that explores elements of the football transfer market ( as the teachers said – ‘one for Brian’…. Laws that is!)
An added bonus to the above project is that young people also will have the opportunity to raise their skills in the game of football. Running alongside the learning opportunities, is a ten week programme delivered by Football In The Community, offering expert coaching and fun based physical activities.
The news of the successful bid for full PfS membership is a dream into reality for the steering group, who can’t wait .
So what will happen at the new Centre?
Building onto the existing Centre a further 20 computers will be installed. The new Centre is part of a major redevelopment at Glanford Park. The Centre will have a new staff team existing of a Centre Manager, Teacher, ICT Technician and Admin staff. Additionally there will be a Volunteer Mentor programme - so if you are reading this and would like to be involved contact JoLeedham (01724) 297327.
We will be recruiting for volunteers in 2003 so why not be first in the queue!!!! Full training (free) is to be provided for this very rewarding role.
Young people will continue to follow a ten week programme but in the lifetime of the project every school of North Lincolnshire will have the opportunity to be involved.
Joining the Elite
The Iron will become one of only a handful of Third Division clubs to have a learning and study centre. Councillor Andrea Deas, North Lincs Councils’ Cabinet Member for Education, said: ‘We are delighted and fortunate to be part of this exciting initiative.
The ‘Playing For Success’ project has only been previously open to Premier Division and First Division Clubs, so this is the first time Scunthorpe United was able to bid for funding." Rules were changed in July this year and Councillor Deas added, "It was a major achievement for the Club and Council which would benefit.
