Students from Newcastle College’s Learning Development courses are benefitting from a longstanding partnership with the Newcastle United Foundation.
Every week, learners travel to the dedicated Newcastle United Foundation sports facilities (NUCASTLE) in the city centre, to take part in a fun afternoon of sports and gaming with coaches from the Foundation.
The students get involved in badminton, table tennis and football before heading up to the Esports room to play games with Jake Simpson, professional Esports player and Newcastle United representative in the official E-Premier League.
The enrichment sessions are an important part of the Learning Development curriculum, providing students with training and skills that will help them live and learn independently, as well as realise their full potential in education and at work.
Lecturer in Foundation Learning, Hayley McKeswick, accompanies the learners every week and says she’s seeing big improvements.
She commented: “Our Learning Development students have targets based on their Educational Healthcare Plans (EHPs), as well as academic targets. The sessions at NUCASTLE allow us to support them with developing character and soft skills such as resilience, communication and confidence. Even getting to the new venue is part of the learning. Some of our learners have never travelled by themselves, so this was an opportunity for staff to support them with their independent travel skills.”
Lewis Thorpe, 16 (pictured, above), is currently studying an Entry Level 3 Award in Introduction to Retail Skills, and really enjoys his time at NUCASTLE. He said: “I love these sessions, doing teamwork and being with my friends. My favourite bit is playing FIFA in the Esports room with Jake.”
Classmate Oliver McIntosh, 17, has become so confident in his football skills since starting sessions at NUCASTLE that he has now joined the college team.
Hayley continued: “Seeing Oliver progress the way he has over these few short weeks is amazing. I’m so proud of all of the learners and pleased to see their confidence improving every week.”
Newcastle United Foundation coach Keith Douglas added: “I’m incredibly proud to work with these young people to help build their confidence, encourage teamwork and improve their communication skills.”