Barclays Premier League: Newcastle's Toon Times helped school children

The education programme funded by the Premier League helped over 4,000 school children.

The funds of the Premier League backed the said education programme and were delivered by Newcastle United that helped thousands of school children located in the North East to get into the learning of history.

"Toon Times" uses the power and charisma of football to develop the literacy and learning techniques of children by using historic artifacts and props and re-enacting famous Newcastle United moments.

During the last season more than 4,750 school children in sixty three schools have learnt about the  hundred year history of the Newcastle United, of whom many have been behind the scenes at St James' Park or taken part in learning activities at the Discovery Museum in Newcastle, where the "Toon Times" exhibition has been held. Since it was opened [for viewing] in February 2014, more than 200,000 people have tripped the exhibition, which runs only until October this year.

Alongside the school programme, 157 children and their parents or caregivers were invited to be part of the "My First Match" initiative, which gives family units who might not otherwise have the chance to go to a football match, their first match day experience.

"Feedback from teachers about Toon Times has been exceptional," Gavin Ferry, the project coordinator from Newcastle United Foundation, said. "So many children have told us how fun and interesting they found the history lessons."

As well as funds from the Premier League, the Foundation's Toon Times project gets monetary help from First Class Supply, a local teaching agency, and Heritage Lottery Fund and it is delivered in partnership with Tyne and Wear Archives & Museums.

"Supporting the Toon Times project enables First Class to offer tremendous opportunities to our partner schools," Lesley Robinson, founder and director of First Class Supply, said. "We get amazing feedback from students from across the region who are delighted by their visits from Newcastle United Foundation."

He added: "The families from Mountfield Primary were thrilled by their first match experience and are still talking about it. We are very proud and happy to be involved with this fantastic charitable initiative."

(Source: Barclays Premier League official website)