Colchester United FCPlaying for Success Overview
Playing for Success (PfS) is the core education project at Colchester United Community Sports Trust (CUCST).
It is a national initiative set up by the DfES (now DCSF) in 1997 to help improve standards of literacy, numeracy and ICT and increase pupil motivation to learn by raising self-confidence and self-esteem.
The ‘Playing for Success’ phenomena has grown enormously and there are now 160 different study support centres around the country which operate from a range of professional sporting venues including football, rugby and cricket clubs as well as hockey, gymnastics, tennis and outdoor sports venues.
Our centre was officially opened in January 2007 as part of CUCST’s Annual Review and 10 year celebration. Formerly located at the Shrub End Community and Sports Centre, we opened a second site at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, which now puts us firmly at the heart of the home of Colchester United Football Club.
PfS acts a hub for other learning projects such as Superstars Aim Higher (Gifted and Talented), Playing With Words and Kick into Reading (National Literacy Trust), the ‘away leg’, Staying on Side (schools’ based project), CaRe (community/diversity project), Supporters Turned Reporters (Year 9 Gifted Writers) and Families into Football (BBC RaW).
You can download our latest Evaluation Report and Anual Report of the PfS programmes run during 2008/09 by clicking on their links or from the download section of this website.
Pupils show they are Playing for Success
Pupils from schools across Colchester had the chance to celebrate whatthey have learnt with friends and family at an EdUc@eUtd awards ceremony at the Weston Homes CommunityStadium.
The youngsters had all taken part in Colchester United CommunitySports Trust’s Playing for Success (PfS) programme which helps children to improve their numeracy, literacy and ICT skills through sport.
The assembled audience enjoyed a showcase produced by the children during their weekly PfS sessions.
Awards were presented by Simon Hackney & Kem Izzet, for a wide range of achievements such as team working skills, positive attitude and conscientious approach.
Chris Hyde, PfS & Double Club Teacher said: “This term’s Playing for Success sessions have been fantastic and the pupils have all been really enthusiastic and keen to take part. They are a great bunch and they have all made some great achievements – whether it be learning new skills or improving the way they work with others.
“The awards evening gave them all the chance to celebrate everything they have learnt and achieved with their families and friends.”
Feedback from the pupils has been really positive, too.
Lara from Kendall Primary School said: “I loved coming to PFS. It was such fun and has changed me as a person and helped me in my education.”
Tom from Elmstead Primary School said: “It has made me more confident at school and has helped me understand maths and literacy better at school, too.”
Playing for Success sessions are two hours long and take place seven times a week in the state of the art EdUc@eUtd Study Support Centre at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, which is kitted out with multimedia equipment including laptop and desktop computers courtesy of Apple.
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