The PfS Study Centre is one of the jewels in the crown of Warriors’ Community Development team’s contribution to the county and went live at the beginning of the Summer Term in 2007.

The Centre ensures that every child who walks through its doors will enjoy themselves, be healthy and learn from making a positive contribution.

The Study Centre has been developed after a close partnership between Worcestershire County Council and Worcester Warriors. It has clearly-defined links with Worcestershire’s Education Development Plan and will work to firmly-set priorities, starting with raising achievement at Key Stage 2 and 3 levels,                                                          promoting inclusion, narrowing the achievement gap, and broadening perspectives.

It will support up to ten schools a term, meaning that around 120 students per term and 360 students annually will benefit. Initially, each group of 14 will be offered a 20-hour programme delivered in two-hour sessions over a 10-week period.

The Study Centre is housed in self-contained premises leased by Worcester Warriors from Worcestershire County Council at the rear of the South Stand at Sixways Stadium.

The PfS Study Centre has been kitted out with a superb corporate-style state-of-the-art learning environment that looks and feels as little like a classroom as possible. It boasts a secure reception area, an administration office, an ICT suite and teaching area, a meeting room, a multi-purpose room that acts as a soft working area, teaching room overspill area, and a student chill-out room and library.

The Centre was first handed over to Centre Manager Glynn Lodge just before Christmas in 2006. Glynn is an experienced Middle School teacher with a background in physical education, PSHE, citizenship and humanities and considerable senior management experience in pastoral care and curriculum development, particularly at Key Stage 3.

To support PfS students, he will call on a pool of volunteer study supporters recruited from the University of Worcester, Worcester Sixth Form College, Droitwich High School, Pershore High School and Worcester Royal Grammar School. Staff, supporters and Academy players of the club will also be involved along with community workers.

“The main focus of the programmes at the study centre will be activity-based learning through creativity and publication, largely around the theme of rugby and other sports,” he said.

“All students will receive a stadium tour as part of the programme and the Warriors players and staff will also                                                       be involved in a capacity that’s relevant to the students’ learning.”