Leicester Secondary School Praises ‘Bespoke’ Premier League Inspires Programme
- Castle Mead Academy is located in Leicester along the Grand Union Canal
- Inspires Mentor Jake Mayes runs mentoring sessions for individuals and groups of scholars
- The school was originally brought into the Premier League Inspires programme with the Club’s charitable arm
- They have since increased their engagement to a further two programmes
Situated on the River Soar, Castle Mead Academy is a Premier League Inspires partner secondary school, which is funded by the Premier League Charitable Fund (PLCF) and delivered by Leicester City in the Community coaches.
Jake Mayes, an Inspires Mentor at LCitC, runs one-to-one mentoring and group sessions at the secondary school, focused on skill and personal development.
Speaking at Castle Mead Academy, Principal Tom Hague discussed the partnership with Leicester City in the Community.
“We believe that our values are really synonymous with the Inspires programme,” he explained. “So, it was a really good match in terms of wanting the best for our pupils.
“What I really like about the Inspires programme is it can be very bespoke. It’s just not an off-the-shelf programme at all, Jake can very much tailor it to what works best.”
As well as mentoring sessions taking place on school grounds, Castle Mead Inspires participants have had the opportunity to take part in extra development opportunities.
A group of Year 7 students visited Watford’s Vicarage Road Stadium as part of the Premier League Inspires Challenge, as well as taking in trips to King Power Stadium to attend cross-project events and Leicester City fixtures as a reward for good progress.
School holiday provision was also available during the academic year, with participants being offered the chance to attend a day at Leicester Outdoor Pursuits Centre.
Carly Yazdani, Castle Mead Academy’s Head of Year 7, talked about the impact that Jake and the Inspires programme has had on the school.
“I think it’s made a huge difference to their progress generally in learning,” she began. “I’ve seen such an increase in their self-esteem, and they’ve made some great friendships.
“It gives them something to look forward to when Jake comes into school. I’m hoping that we can continue this for all of the years – it would be amazing to keep running with it.”
Castle Mead Academy pupils have also benefitted from other Leicester City in the Community activities. Female scholars have taken part in Premier League Changemakers, a girls-only leadership programme, as well as budding comedians joining in with Kicks Does Comedy, a project run with Leicester Comedy Festival and the PLCF.
Premier League Kicks sessions are also popular amongst pupils, as the Academy have access to their own session on a Wednesday after school, as well as several scholars attending the free football sessions across the city.
See Leicester City in the Community’s work with Castle Mead Academy, HERE. To find out more about the Premier League Inspires programme, contact Education Engagement Manager, John Olaleye on john.olaleye@lcfc.co.uk.