Three students gained dream jobs in the USA.
Last September the University Church of England Academy in Ellesmere Port launched a unique sixth form programme which would offer youngsters from the town, Chester and beyond an opportunity of a lifetime.
Teenagers with a passion for sport and considering a career in the industry were given the chance to enrol onto a full time programme delivered by Little League Sports (LLS).
This provides accredited qualifications alongside weekly work experience in primary schools with professional coaches.
Combining theory and practical based learning, the two year course attracted students from as far afield as North Wales, each with their own individual future aims and goals.
Three of the teenagers, Danny Pearce from Ellesmere Port, Phil Hughes from Neston and Luke Reynolds from North Wales, exceeded their expectations.
The trio were over the moon to secured paid employment in the USA for the summer.
Students from the school have also gained other invaluable experiences which this year have included a visit to Manchester United and co-ordinating a football tournament on the pitch at newly promoted Burnley FC.
“Our aim is to not only provide students with a first class education and weekly work placements but also unique experiences that they would not usually be able to access,“ said Marc Garnett, head of recruitment at Little League Sports.
“We believe these factors enable youngsters to develop their CV and really enhance their future prospects’’.
Academy vice principal Iain Robinson said: “This is the first year of the LLS and University of Chester Ellesmere Port Academy partnership and I can only see this growing further in the future.
“We are nearly full for September 2014 so if any Year 11 is still undecided what to do after leaving school and has a love for sport, I would recommend they contact Marc Garnett at LLS by telephoning 0151 294 3229 or emailing marc.garnett@littleleaguesports.co.uk.”
