Rotherham United

Children from schools around Rotherham have had a kicking time at the New York Stadium working with Rotherham United Community Sports Trust.  The children have been putting into practice RUCST’s new interactive Numeracy & Literacy Programmes which engages students in fun activities utilising the new build stadium as an alternative venue for key mainstream lessons.

On one of the days the children from Wath Comprehensive and Greasbrough Primary became Sherlock Holmes for the day to solve a number of “Who done it” conundrums to solve the mystery of the stolen trophy.  The day saw the children running around the stadium solving numeracy clues and looking at seat co-ordinates, they then went on to undertake further numeracy challenges which lead them to a stage of anagram challenges and to complete a literacy task to apprehend the thief. Lisa Gilberthorpe said, "The children enjoyed the day thoroughly. The tasks hooked the children and they thrived on the challenges that was presented to them."

Ferham Junior & Infant school have also been visiting the stadium to participate in the 3 day Sports Journalism Programme which has proven to be a hit with the children.  Week one saw the children learn all about the different types of Sports Journalism and their target audiences.  In Week 2 the children became aliens for a short period of time to understand football terminology and then prepared and recorded their own Radio Commentation which was so much fun. Alan Tasker said, “The children were really inspired by Carol and Brian that day. It was great to see the children are producing really high quality work and having great fun too.” The third week saw the children become Match Reporters in preparation for their live match on the 29th November.

The children from Ferham commented:
K said, ‘ I thought the day was awesome, and I loved shaking players hands in the tunnel!’
Z said, ‘It was a great opportunity and I loved meeting the players.’
A said, ‘ It was a once in a lifetime opportunity. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to do something like that again.’
S said, ‘I loved the whole experience. My favourite part was meeting Brian because he gave us lots of AWESOME advice.’
O said, ‘It was a great day; I liked meeting the players and asking them.’

Greasbrough Primary have also been testing out the new three day KS2 Numeracy Booster programme which looks at key parts of the KS2 curriculum, linking the numeracy to problems in the football stadium for example, the children visiting the players dressing room where they undertook a number of math challenges based on the players kit.  The children also visited the pitch to calculate the measurements and area of the dugouts and football pitch. 

Carole Foster the Alternative Curriculum Tutor said “The programmes have been so interactive and enjoyable for the children, they have given them the opportunity to explore Numeracy and Literacy in real life situations through the eyes of a Sports Commentator or Football Stadium Grounds man”.

For more information please contact:
Carole Foster
Alternative Curriculum Tutor
Telephone: 01709 8277767
Email: cfoster@rotherhamunited.net
Facebook: RUCST
Twitter: @RU_CST

Visit www.rucst.co.uk for more information on the Community Sports Trust