The Double Club based at Mereway Community College uses sport as a vehicle for learning and engagement in the curriculum. The name "double" comes from the project being aimed to give school pupils a "double" experience, learning through sport, educationally and physically. It was developed by Arsenal FC in 1998 because there was a need to motivate and engage pupils, particularly boys, to read and write in inner city schools. Passion sport is a great way to attract their attention. However, we have the added advantage of having 3 professional sports clubs in the town to enthuse children with.

Why Mereway Community College?
The school is seeking to improve the following:
? improve standards and achievement throughout the school
? raise the level of attendance
? raise the standards of literacy
? improve the consistency of teaching and learning across subjects to the level of the best

So far since it's beginning in September 2006, the initiative has reached 75 year 7 and 8 students at this school and this term extends to 2 new cohorts. This has enabled students to improve their key skills in numeracy and literacy as well as boost confidence and self esteem. This term, the Double Club is linked and supported by NTFC. The first week of term usually involves creating a fantasy football team, writing player profiles and starting to look at how match reports are put together. Teachers Kate Jeyes and Martin Gibbs are leading the classroom sessions.

Cobblers community coach Nick Doherty is visiting the school each week to train the students in football skills. He will be doing a variety of ball skills, small-sided games and tactics with them over the 8-week project. The first session went well with all students joining in enthusiastically and having fun.

In a few weeks time, students will be visiting Sixfields Stadium for a tour and ICT session in the Cobblers Study Centre. As the project goes from strength to strength, NTFC are in full support of this study support and provide tickets, programmes and club information for the students to use in their lessons.

HAVE YOUR SAY ON THE SIXFIELDS RE-DEVELOPMENT. SEND IN YOUR LETTERS AND THE QUESTIONNAIRE TO THE COUNCIL BY OCTOBER 31. DO NOT LEAVE IT TO SOMEONE ELSE TO HAVE YOUR SAY.