PUPILS and staff from The Manor School in Melksham are celebrating after being awarded a sparkling new Premier League Primary Stars football kit.

The pack contains a full football strip which will be worn by the school’s aspiring football team, made up of boys and girls from Years 5 and 6 aged nine to 11 years. The Kit and Equipment Scheme forms part of the Premier League Primary Stars offer to primary schools in England and Wales.

This is a curriculum-linked education programme that uses the appeal of the Premier League and its clubs to inspire children to learn, be active and develop important life skills.

Kerry Haines, Head teacher at The Manor School, said “The Manor School has been developing its sports provision, with the help of the government Sports Premium, and we were recently awarded the Bronze Sports Mark in recognition of this.

“We were thrilled to enhance our sports provision even further through the generosity of the Premier League who have provided the school with a full football strip.

“We are so excited and appreciative to be in receipt of something that’s so professional looking and of such fantastic quality, it really brings a sense of pride and identity to our team.

“The kit will be worn when the school play games with local schools as well as football competitions across Wiltshire.”

Delivered by the Football Foundation, the Premier League Primary Stars Kit and Equipment Scheme gives teachers a range of equipment that can be used across different curriculum areas to get children active.

Also available is a free downloadable suite of resources for teachers across Key Stages 1 and 2 in English, Maths, PE and Personal. Social and Health Education (PSHE).

The easy-to-use materials have been developed in partnership with education organisations including the National Literacy Trust and the PSHE Association.

Mathematician Rachel Riley and children’s authors Cressida Cowell and Dan Freedman also helped to create the teaching packs, which use real life sport examples to put lessons into a relevant and engaging context for children.

Richard Scudamore, Executive Chairman of the Premier League and Football Foundation Trustee, said: “Congratulations to The Manor on their successful application for a Premier League Primary Stars Kit and Equipment pack. We hope this kit, coupled with the free downloadable online resources, will help teachers harness the popularity of football to inspire primary school kids in everything from Maths and English to teamwork and sport.”