FOOTBALL enthusiasts at a South Lakes school can look forward to honing their skills after being awarded a Premier League Primary Stars equipment pack.

The equipment package contains a large storage roller bag, bibs, training balls, pop-up goals, whistle, hoops, cones and much more.

This will allow the teachers at Arnside National School to plan a wider range of skills based sessions to inspire pupils through fun and engaging PE activities.

Jeanette Shipperd, PE and Sport coordinator, at Arnside National School, said: “We are delighted with the equipment and want to say a big thank you to Premier League for gifting the equipment pack to our school. It will allow the pupils to develop their football skills further whilst also keeping and encouraging the children to stay active. We plan on making full use of the equipment we have been given by using it throughout the school year groups, for both lessons and playtimes and look forward to seeing the school football team progress with the benefit of the new equipment.”

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 top clubs to inspire children to learn, be active and develop important life skills.

Delivered by the Football Foundation, it 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 PSHE (Personal, social, health and economic).

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, of Countdown fame, 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 Arnside National School on their successful application for a Premier League Primary Stars Equipment pack.

"We hope this package, 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.”