Foundation celebrates another year of supporting local schoolchildren

Creativity was flowing through Tottenham Hotspur Stadium today as 60 local schoolchildren got to enjoy robotics, coding and other hands-on activities.

The celebratory event was arranged by our Foundation after a year in which it has provided the Premier League Primary Stars and Premier League Inspires education programmes to 469 children across 38 primary and secondary schools in Haringey, Enfield and surrounding London boroughs.

Activities were led by STEAM education specialists Creative Hut and Espire. STEAM is a learning approach involving science, technology, engineering, the arts and maths. It nurtures the growth of vital skills such as creativity, problem-solving and critical thinking.

Children were in attendance from Lea Valley Primary School in Haringey, Duke’s Aldridge Academy based next to the Stadium and Holy Family Catholic School in Walthamstow.

Joining them to offer encouragement, support and even a few on the spot prizes for creative minds was Club ambassador Ledley King.

He said: “I could see confidence growing throughout the day as everyone here was engaged and learning whilst having fun.

“The Foundation does a great job supporting local children and local schools year-round. To be able to celebrate in this fantastic Stadium is invaluable, giving kids the opportunity to experience a different environment where they can both reinforce their learning and gain new skills.”

One of those to receive a prize from Ledley was Ayaan, 12, from Holy Family. He said: “I won a Tottenham goody bag and some Lego. I’m feeling proud and positive. The activities have been fun and I didn’t imagine the Stadium to be so big – I’ve really liked this opportunity.”

Trevor Jarrett is humanities coordinator at Lea Valley, one to have benefited from the Foundation’s delivery of Premier League Primary Stars this year.

He said: “We’ve had good interaction with the Foundation this year and today has been amazing. These activities have shown the children different aspects of the STEAM subjects and why they’re important for related career paths. It’s been really good to see everyone fully engaged and I’ll try to replicate some of this in lessons I deliver!”

Andrew Wands, Foundation education manager, said: “We’re proud so many schools across the local area see us as a valuable partner to try and help make sure children achieve their potential.

“The STEAM learning approach is a brilliant way to nurture creative minds and other skills that are transferrable to everyday life, so we’ve been really pleased to run this event at the Stadium today – it’s been great to cap off another year of supporting our local schools.”

The Premier League Primary Stars and Premier League Inspires programmes delivered by the Foundation are funded through the Premier League Charitable Fund.

The former uses the power of football to help children to be active and develop essential life skills, with the latter encouraging and motivating young people to develop their personal skills and positive attitudes needed to succeed in life.