Local pupils will benefit from exciting football-based activities and resources in school thanks to a new Primary Curriculum Project, launched by LEO Academy Trust in partnership with Sutton United Youth & Community Foundation, the charitable foundation associated with Sutton United Football Club. 

As part of the Primary Curriculum Project, LEO Academy Trust pupils from Cheam Common Junior Academy piloted a behind-the-scenes tour of Sutton United, meeting manager Matt Gray and some of the players, including Richie Bennett, Louis John and Enzio Boldewijn (above). Following the tour, the children will engage with a wide range of football-inspired resources and lessons in the classroom including Art, PSHE, History and Maths.

The project is the first step in Sutton United Youth & Community Foundation’s new programme of engagement with local schools, expanding upon the Club’s ongoing work supporting children in the local community. This follows Sutton United’s promotion to the English Football League (EFL) and new funding from The EFL Trust.

The Sutton United-based lessons and resources, which have been created by LEO Academy Trust teachers, offer a fun and engaging way for pupils to enrich their learning. Pupils from schools across Sutton and beyond will be able to access exclusive player interviews, design their own football kits, learn about the history of football, study local geography and many more activities.

By inviting pupils to visit the club itself and then work on cross-curricular projects inspired by the team, the project aims to fully capture each child’s interests across many different subject areas, through creative and varied activities.

Over the coming months, the Club and the Sutton United Youth & Community Foundation will be delivering a wide range of engaging initiatives for local children which focus on improving health and wellbeing, raising aspirations and supporting young people to realise their full potential through a creative medium.

Adrian Barry, Vice Chairman of Sutton United Football Club, said:

“We are delighted that Sutton United will be the focal point for such important curriculum-based activities and enrichment programmes for school children across the Borough and that the Sutton United Youth and Community Foundation will be so involved in helping to facilitate the delivery of the educational sessions. 

The programmes are really innovative and creative and, using the infrastructure of the Football Club as a principal source of teaching, it is a simply brilliant and fun way for children to learn. I wish this approach to teaching was around when I was at school – I might have learnt more!”

Phillip Hedger, CEO at LEO Academy Trust and Chairman of Sutton United Youth & Community Foundation said:

“LEO Academy Trust are very proud to be partnering with the Sutton United Youth & Community Foundation to launch the Sutton United Primary Curriculum Project. Sharing the vision that sports can help children develop key life skills and raise aspirations, we have developed these resources with the Foundation to help pupils understand the impact of sports on all aspects of their life and wellbeing. 

We’re delighted to be working alongside our local football club to achieve these aims and provide more opportunities for our local community.”