Video: Albion ace helps Brighton children with numeracy

Primary school students learning English and maths at the Amex stadium were given a boost with a special video message from Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club star Liam Rosenior.
By The Newsroom
Published 29th Mar 2017, 14:09 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 03:36 BST
Liam Rosenior (Picture by Phil Westlake/PW Sporting Photography)Liam Rosenior (Picture by Phil Westlake/PW Sporting Photography)
Liam Rosenior (Picture by Phil Westlake/PW Sporting Photography)

The Goal Difference initiative aims to use football to help improve attitudes to learning and raise achievement levels.

The programme is organised by Albion in the Community (AITC) - the official charity arm of the football club - and delivered in partnership with American Express.

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Consisting of five weekly 90 minute sessions, AITC’s qualified teacher and Amex volunteers coach pupils to help improve their skills and confidence in literacy and maths.

The Goal Difference programme by Albion in the CommunityThe Goal Difference programme by Albion in the Community
The Goal Difference programme by Albion in the Community

Maths sessions include numeracy curriculum areas such as percentages, measurements, problem solving and data handling.

These are taught through practical football-related exercises that explore stadium attendances, club shop merchandising and pricing, league tables and pitch lengths.

As part of the session, the Year 5 students from Carden Primary School in Brighton watched a video message from Liam, where he shared his childhood career aspirations and read out five Albion related maths questions for them to answer.

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Liam said: “My message to the kids on the programme is: ‘Try your best in everything that you do. It doesn’t matter what level you reach or how good you are compared to other people. Put in the maximum effort you can and maximise your potential’. Looking back, that’s something I wish I’d learnt when I was a lot younger.”

Rob Josephs, AITC’s curriculum development officer, said: “The programme is a great way to engage pupils in literacy and numeracy. Just being at a venue like the Amex, outside of a mainstream classroom environment, can help inspire and motivate youngsters to learn. Feedback we’ve had from teachers shows that using football as a theme has really engaged pupils and it is great to have the support of American Express and Liam Rosenior.”

Last year, when the initiative launched, three primary schools and 45 students participated in the programme.

Further Goal Difference sessions will be held later this year.

Primary schools across Sussex interested in taking part, or for further information about AITC’s schools programme should email: [email protected].

Related topics:AlbionBrightonCommunity