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4 Dec 2007 12:26:14
Former England Rugby player Martin Bayfield will open a new after-school club at the University of Bedfordshire on Thursday 6 December.
The Study Support Centre is opening in its new home on the Polhill Avenue site after a £30,000 investment to upgrade facilities and equipment. It was the first study centre in the country to be set up at a University two years ago, joining football clubs Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United, in establishing after school clubs for pupils to benefit from using sport and other activities as motivational tools, to raise literacy, numeracy and ICT standards.
It was set up at the former Lansdowne campus, under the Department for Education and Skills ‘Playing for Success’ initiative, in partnership with Bedfordshire County Council.
Former Police Officer Martin Bayfield was born in the town and started his rugby career at Bedford Blues Rugby Club. Since retiring he works as a rugby correspondent on Radio 5 Live and presented TV coverage of the 2007 Rugby World Cup. He has also appeared in the Harry Potter films playing Robbie Coltrane's half-giant Hagrid's body double.
Centre Manager Karen Price said: “We are delighted to have secured rugby star Martin Bayfield to open the updated new centre, which has the latest wireless computers and software to encourage the pupils to become more effective learners.
“We are also pleased to be able to continue to use the University’s facilities, as the centre has been highly successful and popular since its creation, producing noticeable improvements in pupil’s self-esteem and educational results.
“Through fun activities we stretch the children in different ways and relate numeracy and literacy to these activities, which helps them to remember the theory. We have strong links with the schools to ensure we understand pupils needs and schools recognise pupils' achievements at the centre. Students from the University also work as mentors to help motivate the children.”
Pupils from Bedfordshire schools, aged between seven and 14, attend two hour sessions each week for ten weeks.
For further information about the Study Support Centre contact 01234 360685 or email karenpricebssc@hotmail.com
Latest news» 2007» December» Rugby star to open new after-school club
