Swansea City AFC Foundation seeking Premier League Primary Stars partner schools

Swansea City AFC Foundation is seeking Premier League Primary Stars partner schools to sign up to the project for the upcoming 2024-25 academic year.

The aim of Premier League Primary Stars is to inspire children to learn, be active and develop important life skills through the power of sport.

Partner schools will have the opportunity to apply for free kit, equipment, and books from celebrated children’s authors, at certain times throughout the year.

The programme is delivered via a variety of different means to meet the needs of each school and its learners, with available packages covering periods from one term to the whole school year, incorporating a number of engaging opportunities to inspire every pupil.

Stadium visits, ambassador appearances, school sports days, collapsed curriculum days and representing the Swans Foundation at national tournaments are among the benefits schools may be able to take advantage of.

A priority of the programme is to leave a lasting legacy with every individual, including teachers and staff members who can be supported to increase their confidence, specifically in delivering P.E.

The legacy Swans Foundation's delivery of the programme has left on St David’s Catholic School is one example of the success Primary Stars has had in building relationships between pupils, many of whom initially struggled to connect with their peers and settle in a classroom environment.

Children in St David’s come from a range of backgrounds and cultures, so Jack Giles, sports and education area coordinator at the Foundation, ensured his P.E. lessons would help the pupils communicate with each other and work together as a team.

“We’ve been working in St David’s for three years, and through the Primary Stars project, we’ve demonstrated the power sport has to bring people together,” said Giles.

“They’ve learned to be more understanding and identify each other's strengths, recognising that everyone can bring something to the team.

“I’m really proud of the pupils for how they’ve developed their skills and how they’ve engaged with Primary Stars. I think the progress the children have made epitomises what the Primary Stars programme is all about.”

Elizabeth Rogers, the headteacher at St David’s Catholic School, has been delighted with the impact the Primary Stars programme has had.

“The children can’t wait for a Wednesday or Thursday when Jack comes in to work with them,” added Rogers.

“This has been our third year and it’s been lovely to see how the children have developed their skills. We’re running an after school club now as well, so the possibilities have been endless with the Primary Stars project.

“Our school wasn’t able to offer the sport sessions the Swans Foundation has delivered for us. The children have come from a range of backgrounds and some of them wouldn’t be able to access football. 

"It’s given them an opportunity to learn different skills, which they’ve been able to transfer into everyday school life as well, so it has been truly fantastic.”

Pupils from St David's expressed how much the programme has helped their cooperation and resilience skills in addition to enjoying the sporting aspect. 

"I've been in teams with people I've never worked with before so that has changed my qualities and now I'm really good at teamwork," said Isabel.

If your school is interested in finding out more about Premier League Primary Stars, fill out the form here to arrange a meeting.