Latics on target with adult literacy classes
Date published: 03 September 2008
OLDHAM Athletic is still hoping to make some new signings — adults who want to brush up their basic skills.
Latics has teamed up with Oldham College to offer the popular Heading for Success Courses for a second season.
The free literacy and numeracy classes are held in the sponsors’ suite at Boundary Park and are based around football-themed activities. They are open to people aged from 17 who work towards a GCSE equivalent qualification.
The courses are due to start next week, with literacy from 9.30am to noon on Mondays and numeracy from 1pm to 3.30pm on Tuesdays. They last up to 17 weeks and are tailored to individual needs, which means people can complete the qualification sooner if they are ready.
Last year seven Latics’ staff were among the 17 people who took part in the FA and Government-backed scheme — including chief executive Alan Hardy.
He said that college could be intimidating for some people and explained: “If people did not like going to school, if they did not enjoy further education, it gets them away from that environment and into a football stadium.
“It is nothing like being in a college and if they are Latics fans it also gives them a chance to see behind the scenes.
“By using the club as a vehicle we can get people into further education. I encouraged as many members of staff as possible go on the courses — and thought I couldn’t ask them to do what I wasn’t prepared to do it myself! The environment was great and it was more than just learning. It was fun as well.”
Heading for Success is run by clubs around the country — from Premiership to Conference teams — and use the popularity of football to attract adults to learning.
Last year Pat Whitmore, who does the club’s laundry, visited Wembley after taking part and being named Oldham’s learner of the year. She met former England player Sir Trevor Brooking, FA Cup winner Garth Crooks, former Olympic medallist Colin Jackson, and was presented with a signed England shirt.
Oldham College tutor Matthew Allen, who takes the literacy course, said people wanted to brush up on their skills for a variety of reasons, such as helping their children with homework, for work or to progress on to another course.
He added: “It was an absolute blast, our most enjoyable sessions of the week, and it was nice to be in another environment.
“The college has a very good community provision and being so close to the football club, plus having the football theme, it was something we were very keen to get involved in. The feedback has been very good and the success rate last year was exceptional.”
Oldham Athletic also runs the popular Playing for Success scheme for primary and secondary school children at its L@ticzone learning centre. For information on that contact Oldham College, not Oldham Athletic, on 0161-785 4094.
