PL Inspires Helps Thomas Estley Community College Pupils Back To School

- Throughout the summer holidays, Leicester City in the Community’s Inspire team has been hosting a number of transition and interventions events at Thomas Estley Community College
- Young people from all school year groups have been involved with a focus on building confidence and easing anxiety ahead of schools returning
- Minister of State for School Standards, Nick Gibb MP, took part in a positive wellbeing exercise
- Schools across Leicestershire start the new academic year this week

The Club’s charitable arm, Leicester City in the Community, has helped a local secondary school prepare for the new year with Premier League Inspires transition and intervention events. 

Thomas Estley Community College pupils from across all year groups were chosen to be a part of the new back-to-school event as part of preparations for a new way of learning due to COVID-19. 

New Year 7 pupils were a part of a week-long transition, while returning Year 8 to Year 11 pupils took part in the interventions programme, with a focus on promoting positive wellbeing through practical awareness activities. 

Minister of State for School Standards, Nick Gibb MP, joined in on an interventions activity, where each participant had to answer a question based on the number rolled from a dice. 

Discussing the purpose of providing the summer holiday programme, Mandi Collins, Headteacher at Thomas Estley Community College said: “Leicester City in the Community's Premier League Inspire coaches have led for us to try and break down those barriers and to help those students to come back feeling safe, happy and ready to learn.

“Every student that I have seen has seen anxiety turn into a smile and that’s all we really wanted to achieve from these sessions.

“The children haven’t been in school for a long time and it is an imperative need that they come back into classrooms so that their wellbeing can be supported, and they can achieve the academic results they are capable of.” 

Schools in Leicestershire start the new academic year this week and John Olaleye, Education Engagement Manager at Leicester City in the Community, spoke about the importance of being there for teenagers. 

“We have seen over the past few months how important schools are to the community,” he said.

“For us, supporting the schools and young people is key. I would like to think, given that the schools have bought into the programme again this year, the value that we add, they see it. 

“They recognise that and hopefully, this coming year, we will continue to add to the value and provide targeted support because there will be a lot of young people that will need it.”

If you want to know more about the Premier League Inspires programme, please email john.olaleye@lcfc.co.uk.