Our secondary school programmes
Barnsley FC Community Trust is proud to work alongside secondary schools across the borough as part of the Barnsley Council’s Great Childhood Ambition scheme. Through this partnership, we deliver meaningful, targeted support that helps young people thrive both in and out of the classroom.
Our programmes aim to raise aspirations, boost confidence, and improve wellbeing, offering pupils a safe, supportive environment where they can develop key life skills. Whether through engaging workshops, personal development activities, or sport‑based learning, we tailor our delivery to each school’s needs ensuring every young person feels seen, supported, and empowered to reach their potential.
By working collaboratively with teachers, pastoral teams, and school leadership, we help create positive pathways for students aged 11–16, enabling them to build resilience, strengthen relationships, and feel more connected to their education and their future.
Raising Aspirations
Our Raising Aspirations programme provides targeted, structured support for young people aged 11–16 across Barnsley secondary schools. Designed for pupils at risk of disengagement due to disadvantage or emotional challenges, the programme creates a safe, supportive space where young people can grow in confidence, resilience, and self-belief.
Each school receives 60 hours of delivery, working with small cohorts to ensure every participant is seen, heard, and supported. Sessions combine interactive workshops with physical activity, helping pupils develop key personal, social, and life skills in a way that feels engaging and relevant.
Workshop themes include mental health, resilience, managing change, communication, aspirations, and employability. Sessions are co-designed with pupils and school staff, keeping learning youth-led and responsive to real needs. Sport plays a central role, reinforcing learning while building teamwork, motivation, confidence, and physical wellbeing.
By blending education with sport, Raising Aspirations helps young people re-engage with learning, broaden their horizons, and believe in their future potential.
STEM Futures Programme
The STEM Futures Programme is an innovative pilot that combines the power of football with hands-on, technology-driven learning to inspire the next generation.
Aimed at Key Stage 3 pupils across Barnsley schools, the programme uses Sphero BOLT™ robotics, coding, and data analytics to develop essential 21st-century skills including problem-solving, creativity, teamwork, and digital literacy. By linking learning to the world of football, sessions feel relatable, exciting, and meaningful — helping pupils see how STEM connects to real careers and opportunities.
Through practical challenges, collaborative tasks, and technology-led activities, young people build confidence with new skills while raising their aspirations beyond the classroom. STEM Futures not only supports academic development but also encourages curiosity, ambition, and belief in what young people can achieve.
