Leicester City’s charity arm partners with Speakers for Schools to introduce young people to future careers
Leicester, 20 December 2022: Social mobility charity Speakers for Schools has partnered with Leicester City Football Club’s charitable arm, Leicester City in the Community, to introduce SEND students to the world of careers available at the football club. From accountants to groundskeeping, hospitality, marketing, and educational outreach, 12 students from West Gate School in Leicester gained a rare insight into careers beyond the football pitch.
Over a four week course, students learnt about the vast range of roles behind the scenes to make Leicester City the football club what it is. Leicester City in the Community was keen to work with local students that may not have considered careers with the club. The students have moderate learning disabilities, ADHD, autism and anxiety and were surprised to understand the breadth of roles available at the club.
The cohort also prepared a marketing presentation with the support and insight of Leicester City in the Community staff, which was presented to Eve Ralph, the EDI Coordinator.
Calvin, a 17-year-old student, said, “Going to where the players and officials go has been good. Now I can imagine working here at the football club and I’d like to help other people to learn.”
Ryan, a 16-year-old student, said, “I’ve enjoyed everything about this experience. I’ve learnt so much about what goes on behind the scenes. I would love to be a footballer here, or maybe a defending coach or a throw-in coach but not the attacking coach!”
Catherine Ellis, Teaching Assistant from West Gate School said: “Hearing about the different job opportunities our students can apply for has been brilliant, now it’s something they can work towards. Our students have a unique way of thinking and are very deeply knowledgeable about what they are passionate about, it’s been a fantastic opportunity to bring our students into the Leicester City community.”
Eve, EDI Coordinator from Leicester City in the Community said: “It is so important that we connect the club to the community while raising students’ aspirations to provide a clearer idea of what to do when they leave school. I can see that this cohort has grown in confidence and developed teamwork and feedback skills as they prepared and practised their presentations together.”
Speakers for Schools is a youth social mobility charity, connecting state-educated young people to quality work experience and inspirational talks, amongst much more. Leicester City Football Club is one of 1,300 employers in the charity’s network.
Schools and employers can join Speakers for Schools for free here: www.speakersforschools.org
