Jez Daniel updates cambridgeunited.com on the Learning Centre news.

It's been a while since I last gave you an update from United in Learning and the work that's been going on at the Learning Centre recently.

The spring term has been extremely busy in one way or another. We are currently working with four primary schools as part of the playing for success study support provision. Fawcett, Shirley Upper school and two St Neots Primary schools; St Marys and Eynesbury. The feedback from the students and the accompanying teachers has been really positive as ever which encourages everyone.

The Double Club programme continues to be taught at Chesterton and there is a real noticeable improvement in self confidence in the students with not just our staff but also the school teaching staff too.

Learning in a new environment particularly using the theme of football or sport is a great way of engaging with students learning. As part of the 'extended learning opportunities' any type of learning outside of the classroom be it sport, the arts, music or homework etc is a key aspect in raising pupil achievement and attainment levels. As professionals, working in this environment is both fun and rewarding at the same time.

We have also been successful in a bid to run a two day Aiming High programme in the future which we have entitled 'More than just football'  which will see local youngsters with varying levels of disability visit the Club and follow a ground tour, I Movie presentation work and also access some football coaching. This is not only a great opportunity for the youngsters but also the funding allows for them to attend a game with their parents or carers thus fully embracing family learning opportunities.

Recently we have also been approached by Education Support for Looked After Children (ESLAC) to run some sort of programme at Easter as well. This follows on with the successful programme last Easter. Establishing strong links is integral for everyone not just associated with United in Learning but also for the Club's links with the community. It particularly ties in well with the aspirations the Club has with the recently formed Youth and Community Trust.

The Centre staff have also been approached about involving and delivering again in the County wide one to one programme in a local primary school.

Next week sees us host our second graduation evening and the last one alone attracted well over 120 guests.

As you can see it has been an extremely busy time for everyone involved!

It would be fair to say that without the support of our volunteer learning mentors this work would certainly not be possible. We currently have 8 volunteer learning mentors working with us across the week and their support and input is invaluable. I have to give a special mention to Mike who has just developed some new resources for us including Sudoka, with levels ranging from the 'Blue Square' Premier all the way to the 'Premiership' !
Also he has developed a football based co-ordinates activity based on battleships! So thank you, Mike.

I will conclude by wishing Jez George all the best in his training for his up and coming walk and have promised to join for a leg or a few miles if my legs have recovered from the Paris Marathon!

Jez Daniel
Learning Centre Manager

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