This September saw the start of a whole new adventure for Oldham Athletic Community Trust as they team up with Failsworth High school to provide a whole new way of learning for some students.
Agroup of Year 11 students who attended Sportsdirect.com Park for the first time early this month will be studying a Cambridge National Level 2 in Sport Studies this year.
This qualification is equivalent to a GCSE and will go towards students’ Progress 8 as well as helping them in their step towards further education.
The course is made up of four units including Sport and the Media, Working in the Sporting Industry and Contemporary Issues in Sport. Students will study five hours a week at the football stadium lead by Community Trust Education Officer Dale Harris and Community Coach Alex Howarth.
Dale Harris commented: “It is a huge step forward for us as a Trust, this time two years ago we didn’t even have an Education Officer, since then we have delivered educational projects in nearly every high school in Oldham and now we are delivering a qualification to students.
“It made common sense really, we have been working with Failsworth for the past year and where else is better to study a qualification about sport than within the grounds of professional football club.
"I don’t think there is any provider in Oldham better placed to provide an insight into media and employment in sport than here at Oldham Athletic.
“It is going to be an exciting time and hopefully the first year of a very long and successful partnership with Failsworth school.”
Nicola Edwards, the Gateway Manager at Failsworth School expressed how students had reacted well to course and working with the Community Trust.
She commented: “We were delighted to begin our partnership with Oldham Athletic Community Trust, the staff are dedicated to achieving the best outcomes for our students.
"This is evident in their highly engaging, differentiated and well-resourced delivery of Sports Studies.
“They're adaptable and approachable style means that our students often comment on their thorough enjoyment of learning whilst at Oldham Athletic and are already achieving excellent results.”
One Failsworth student went on to say: “We have been to different places to learn in Oldham, last year and in year nine but this is by far the best.
“Seeing where you can work gives you a little motivation and inspiration to do your work to the best you can.
“I am looking forward to doing my course here this year the coaches treat us like adults and that’s great”.
Students are pictured with Dale and Alex signing their contracts for the season!