Background

The need to raise educational standards is one of the most important challenges facing this country. Part of the Government's drive for improvement has been to introduce an initiative called "Playing for Success." This initiative supports the development of after school study support centres for young people at professional sports clubs around the country.

The Department for Children, Schools and Families, The Football Foundation, Hartlepool LA and Hartlepool United Football Club have joined in partnership to create Pools Study Support Centre at Victoria Park, the home of Hartlepool United.

Mission Statement

To raise the achievement of young people by increasing their motivation, developing their self esteem and helping them to become more effective learners through a range of activities which will endeavour to improve the core skills of numeracy, literacy and ICT within the sporting environment of HUFC.

Provision

The Centre will provide:- 

* Access to curricular materials to reinforce and extend literacy and numeracy skills.
* Access to ICT facilities, the Internet and educational software. 
* A safe and friendly area to support study skills.

The Centre will seek to develop:- 

* Independent working, study and research skills. 
* Motivation and self-discipline 
* Social skills and self-confidence.
A positive attitude to school and learning

Centre Manager:

A qualified and experienced teacher who has responsibility for all aspects of the study support provision at the centre. The centre manager will be available to discuss any study support issues with school staff and parents.

Mentors:

To help provide pupils with individual assistance with their work, the centre has recruited mentors. The mentors are either volunteers, Y12 students from English Martyrs Sixth Form College or undergraduates at Teesside University.

Mentors play a very important role at the centre by offering much support, encouragement and direction as pupils develop their literacy, numeracy and ICT skills. Pupils are given extra attention to inspire confidence in both academic and social development.

Mentors will develop personal and professional skills by working alongside the manager and will use their own positive experiences to encourage pupils to reach their full potential.