Educated Pass

Young males from working class communities are underachieving in the classroom. It is important to bring relevancy to school curriculum and promote positive life choices through a medium that holds respect and value – that aligns with their identity. Through the lens of football we work with S2 pupils prior to their first curriculum choices, this is done through the local youth football teams that they play for. Relevancy is built through the stories of professional high profile athletes and student athlete role models; this narrative immediately connects through a shared language. Drawing on early notions of Olympism (Olympic Charter 2007); ‘Blending sport with culture and education’, we deliver the project through ‘the educational value of good example’ and a strong reference to the principles of interdisciplinary learning.

Educated Pass offers a series of classes each year that covers aspects of the curriculum from modern languages to biology. We also address societal issues such as human rights, health inequalities and racism – all delivered through the lens of football.Classes also cover careers exploration in professional sport and other non-sport related areas all via further learning and study at college or university. A key element of the project is also to encourage positive life choices, not just in education but also in matters of health and social relationships. The project also provides extensive opportunities for physical based sessions that illustrate modern sport science thinking and training methods.

The project has a number of partners including the Scottish Youth Football Association, Edinburgh College, West Lothian College and the Hibernian FC Community Foundation. Support is also provided by EUAFC, the Academy of Sport and a number of student athlete role models. Clubs that are invited to take part are based from East Lothian, through Edinburgh City to North Lanarkshire.