Playing for success

The national 'Playing for Success' scheme was established in 1997 by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES), in partnership with local education authorities, the FA Premier League and their clubs, with the aim to establish out of hours study support centres. Due to the success of the first centres, a variety of other sporting clubs including cricket, rugby, gymnastics and tennis joined in 2000. Since then the scheme has gone from strength to strength, at present there are 150 clubs signed up covering a range of sports. The centres use the environment and medium of football, rugby and other sports as motivational tools, and focus on raising literacy, numeracy and ICT standards amongst KS2 and KS3 pupils who are struggling a little and often demotivated.

In 2001 Durham LA opened a PfS Centre in partnership with Durham County Cricket Club at their Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street. Since opening over 1800 pupils have benefited from the programme. Due to the success of the scheme a second centre is being established in partnership with Durham Amateur Rowing Club at their new boat house due to open in June 2007. Playing for Success is an integral part of Durham County Council's Study Support provision.

Riverside Education Centre

The Centre at Durham CCC opened in April 2001 and was situated in the players' dining room. In April 2006 the Centre relocated to a purpose built room located in the ground floor of the Media Centre. This unique venue is fully equipped with 16 networked PCs, broadband connection and interactive whiteboard; 8 mini macs, plasma screen and video conferencing equipment; 8 digital video cameras and video editing software; 10 Lego Robolab control technology kits; 8 LogIt data logging kits; and range of learning materials and educational software.

The Centre aims to assist local schools in raising achievement by motivating pupils to become more effective learners through activities that improve the core skills of literacy, numeracy and ICT, as well as developing pupil's self esteem and confidence.

The Centre is managed by an experienced teacher with assistance from a full time teacher and two part time learning mentors. We also have a part time community cricket coach who delivers cricket themed physical activity sessions as part of the programme. Pupils aged 9-13 years attend the centre one evening a week for 10 weeks. We are open every day, with the study support sessions taking place Monday to Thursday from 2.30 until 5.30pm.

For more information about our Study Support programme refer to our Information for Schools page. If you wish to apply for a place complete the Statement of Interest form. We are also available to deliver a range of day time courses and the facilities are available for hire.