Children from local schools get the chance to interview R&DFC players
During the course of the "Playing for Success" term at the Diamonds Study Centre a week was set aside for Year 8 students, from Huxlow, Manor and Ferrers Secondary schools as well as Year 5 pupils, from Irthlingborough, Finedon, Great Addington and Higham Ferrers Junior schools and a group of 'looked after children' to interview Rushden & Diamonds football players.
Michael Rankine and Michael Corcoran with pupils from Raunds Manor School
They all had a great time interviewing first team players Curtis Osano, Jake Beecroft, Sam Smith, Michael Corcoran, Michael Rankine, Gareth Jelleyman and Aynsley Macdonald and as well as some of the clubs prospective future stars in Youth Teamers Jack Higgins, George Cox, Adam Sharpe and Lewis Hallford.
Jack Higgins and Adam Sharpe are grilled by pupils from Higham Ferrers
The "Playing for Success" project is part of a national initiative that involves a partnership between the DCSF (Department for Children, Schools and Families) the County Council and Rushden & Diamonds Football Club; one of its major objectives is to raise standards in literacy. The interview activity and the follow up work proved to be an invaluable exercise in the improvement of the students speaking, listening and writing skills in a very enjoyable way.
George Cox and Curtis Osano are interviewed by pupils from Irthlingborough
The students were asked to formulate their own questions, speak clearly and confidently to the players, listen carefully to the players' answers and then use their computers to publish an interview poster. This poster included inserting photographs taken during the interview in addition to adding text. This piece of writing summarized the key information about the players, which they had gleaned during the question and answer session.
Lewis Hallford is pensive with Aynsley McDonald chatting to pupils from Higham Ferrers
Helen Thompson of Rushden & Diamonds Football Club said "We are delighted to be able to participate at our State of the Art Study Centre in this initiative again this term. The schoolchildren really do benefit from learning in a less traditional setting and we hope that this experience will motivate and spur them on to achieving higher standards."
Sam Smith and Jake Beecroft are questioned by Great Addington and Finedon pupils
The children involved have told us they enjoyed it, and the players did too so a big thank you to those involved. The Diamonds Study Centre now has its own blog, which can be found here http://diamondsstudycentre.org/
