New Mercia Northridge school kicks off sports partnership with Sheffield Wednesday

Pupils at Mercia Northridge School in Sheffield will benefit from new sports opportunities after a partnership with Sheffield Wednesday Football Club.

The club has also presented the school in Parson Cross with a signed shirt, while tickets have been provided for pupils to attend a match at Hillsborough.

Headteacher Joanna Crewe said: “We’re delighted to be working with Sheffield Wednesday and to be able to bring these experiences to our pupils.

“We believe a great education goes beyond what happens in the classroom. Of course, we want our pupils to achieve highly academically, but alongside that we want them to discover new interests, build confidence, develop perseverance and have experiences that stay with them.

“Sport is a fantastic way of doing that. It brings people together and teaches so many of the qualities we want to see in our pupils, including teamwork, responsibility and determination.”

The club’s community programme will work with the school to provide a range of sports activities and experiences for pupils, giving them the chance to try new things and develop their skills.

The partnership is part of Mercia Northridge’s wider commitment to providing pupils with an enriching education alongside their academics.

Mrs Crewe added: “As we begin our first year as Mercia Northridge, building strong relationships across Sheffield is an important part of establishing the school at the heart of its community. We’re very grateful to Sheffield Wednesday for their support and are looking forward to seeing our pupils get involved.

“We want Mercia Northridge to be a school that our pupils, families and the wider community can be proud of. Partnerships like this are one of the ways we can make that ambition real and give our pupils opportunities that extend well beyond the classroom.

“We’d love to welcome families to our open day and give them a chance to hear what we’re building here at Mercia Northridge.”

Theiopen day takes place on Thursday, September 17 from 4.30pm to 6.30pm, and will give families the chance to meet Joanna Crewe, staff and pupils, see the school and hear more about the team’s vision for the future of north Sheffield.

Ben Winter, Deputy Head of Community at Sheffield Wednesday, said: “Sheffield Wednesday is proud to be part of the Sheffield community, and working with local schools is an important part of what we do.

“We’re delighted to support Mercia Northridge and its pupils through sport and enrichment. We hope the partnership gives pupils the chance to get involved, try something new and enjoy some great experiences along the way.

“We’re looking forward to working with the school and seeing the relationship develop.”

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