Aston Villa Foundation has launched the Premier League Inspires programme for secondary schools in Birmingham, with support from Cazoo.
Premier League Inspires is an education programme aimed at young people aged between 11-25 which brings together learnings from previous Premier League programmes such as Enterprise, Works as well as the Prince's Trust Achieve course.
Young people today face a variety of ever-evolving challenges, with an increasing amount experiencing mental health issues. Teachers and practitioners in secondary schools and the education sector face multiple pressures and each school has differing priorities, including in approach to pastoral care, behaviour management and emotional support.
Responding to such needs, Aston Villa Foundation have started delivering the programme, which has been partly funded by Aston Villa's principal sponsor Cazoo, within six secondary schools in the city, offering support such as mentoring, educational interventions and sport to inspire and motivate pupils.
The programme vision is:
To use the appeal of the Premier League and professional football clubs to support 11-25-year-olds who are marginalised or at risk of not reaching their potential; supporting them as they move through the education system and early adulthood.
With a mission statement to:
To inspire children and young people to develop the personal skills and positive attitudes to succeed in life.
PL Inspires stated aims are to:
- Ensure that children and young people feel inspired and engaged;
- Enhance the wellbeing of children and young people;
- Improve children and young peoples’ personal and practical skills, and awareness of business / careers;
- Support participants engagement using the theme of football and sport to improve their attitude, relationships and behaviour - increasing their ability to achieve their goals;
- Increase participants confidence, self-esteem, teamwork and communication skills;
- Support schools and alternative educational establishments to keep pupils present and committed, whilst encouraging others to re-engage with school life;
- Support participants in/into training, education and employment opportunities;
- Create opportunities for students to give back to their school and/or local community.
"We are delighted with the partnership we have with the Aston Villa Foundation. The PL Inspiresproject has provided us with early intervention for pupils in the school. The staff in school, regardless of the different roles throughout the day, have demonstrated the upmost professionalism and the ability to not only engage pupils in sport but to empower them to reflect on their decisions and behaviour in school and beyond." (Patrick McCarthy- Deputy Head- Stockland Green School)
“PL Inspires adds to the several initiatives that the Aston Villa Foundation delivers within targeted communities in Birmingham. It adds another dimensions to our work and will not only support young people within an educational environment, but help prepare them for successful and healthy lives away from school.” (James Lowbridge- Operations Manager- Aston Villa Foundation)
