The Diamonds Study Centre held its Presentation Evening on Monday 8^th December 2008 to celebrate the end of the Autumn Term of 'Playing for Success' sessions at the centre.

The sessions have been run in the evenings, at the Study Centre based at Rushden & Diamonds Football Club, as part of a national government initiative with the aims being to improve the children's standards in Numeracy, Literacy and Information Technology as well as to boost their confidence and self-esteem through the medium of "sports related" activities. The scheme involves a partnership between the Department for Children, Schools and Families, Northamptonshire County Council and the Football Club and is geared towards Year 5 and Year 8 students in the year before their end of key stage tests.

The Presentation Evening for the Diamonds Study Centre was held in the Kimberley Suite at Rushden & Diamonds Football Club and the room was full to capacity as relatives and teachers watched the youngsters, aged between 9 and 14 years, being presented with their certificates by Rushden & Diamonds first team players Andy Burgess and Marcus Kelly.

The schools involved in the scheme this term have all come from the local area namely from Huxlow, Raunds Manor and Ferrers Secondary Schools, in addition to the younger students from Higham Ferrers, Irthlingborough, Finedon Mulso and Great Addington Junior Schools.

Helen Thompson, from Rushden & Diamonds Football Club said "It was fantastic that so many children took part in the initiative over recent weeks and that they also attended the presentation evening on Monday. The schoolchildren really do benefit from learning in a less traditional setting and we hope that the 'Playing for Success' sessions will motivate and spur them on to achieving higher standards."

Study Centre Manager Rob Jones said, "The Presentation Evening was a nice occasion for all concerned and it was pleasing to hear some of the young people talking to their teachers and families about their achievements during the course of the term. It was particularly pleasing to see two players, who were brought up in the local area and products of the clubs academy, presenting the certificates. The youngsters have been a credit to their families and their schools and the tremendous turnout reflected the high regard shown for the 'Playing for Success' initiative. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all of the teachers and parents for their assistance this term and to commend Rushden & Diamonds Football Club for its involvement with the local community and the support it has given to the Study Centre during this academic term."

The Diamonds Study Centre now has its own blog, which can be found here http://diamondsstudycentre.org/

Pupils from Huxlow recieve their awards

Pupils from Higham Ferrers recieve their awards