Associate Teachers from the Wade Deacon Trust recently visited Liverpool FC’s AXA Training Centre in Kirkby as part of an enrichment day designed to broaden their understanding of teaching in high-performance environments.
The visit included a tour of the Premier League club’s Category 1 Academy and a session led by Ted Smith, the under-18 education officer at Liverpool FC.
They visited as part of an enrichment day _(Image: Supplied)_ Jane Goulding, director of initial teacher training at Wade Deacon Trust, said: "We are very grateful to Ted Smith and staff at the LFC Academy for facilitating the opportunity for our associate teachers to visit Kirkby and find out more about education in one of British sport’s most elite environments.
"Education at Liverpool Football Club is valued immensely, and the passion that staff at the LFC Academy have shown for supporting young athletes in a highly-pressurised environment has been eye-opening for our associate teachers.
"I am delighted that our soon-to-be qualified teachers have been exposed to this fantastic experience, which will be undoubtedly formative to their future practice, at such an early stage in their careers."
During the session, the trainee teachers explored the unique challenges of supporting young athletes who juggle academic and sporting demands.
At Liverpool FC, academy players continue their education until at least age 18, in line with government regulations that require a formal education programme as part of their apprenticeship.
The teachers explored the unique challenges of supporting young athletes _(Image: Supplied)_ Those who are offered scholarships at the club enrol in a Sporting Excellence Professional apprenticeship delivered in-house at the academy.
The education programme is overseen by Caitlin Hawkins, Liverpool FC’s head of education and personal development.
It focuses on helping each scholar develop academically, personally, and professionally.
Throughout the year, associate teachers specialising in maths and PE from Wade Deacon Trust have been supporting LFC academy players with their studies.
One associate teacher said: "It was fantastic to see how education is approached in elite sporting facilities, and to get an idea of the pressures that may be placed on pupils who are studying at school as well as competing at an elite level.
"Given that I am joining a sports specialist school in September, the insight offered by this visit gives me a well-rounded view into what my future pupils will be experiencing and what support they will need from me."
Another associate teacher said: "The day really helped me appreciate a different perspective on education in the lives of not only the young athletes, but also teaching staff, and how their role in the LFC Academy differs to their past roles in mainstream school settings."