EDUCATION
ST DUNSTAN ’ S COLLEGE AND CHELSEA FC FOUNDATION ANNOUNCE GROUNDBREAKING PARTNERSHIP
St Dunstan ’ s College and Chelsea FC Foundation are delighted to announce a new groundbreaking partnership , which will widen access to high-quality sporting experiences across Lewisham and South East London .
As part of the partnership , Chelsea FC Foundation will have a full-time officer based at the school to develop the new programme working closely with the St Dunstan ’ s team and to reach out and build relationships across Lewisham .
Speaking about the announcement , St Dunstan ’ s head , Nick Hewlett said : “ We are delighted to announce this new partnership with Chelsea FC Foundation . Sport at St Dunstan ’ s has been on an incredible journey in recent years and this is the next exciting chapter in our history .
“ We are passionate about our local community , and I am particularly pleased that this new partnership will not only benefit our pupils , but young people across the whole borough . It really does have the potential to transform football across South East London .”
Daniel Jacquart , head of football development at Chelsea FC Foundation , said : “ We are thrilled to be working with St
Dunstan ’ s College offering bespoke football opportunities for pupils and the local community .
“ Chelsea Foundation ’ s highly qualified and experienced coaching will enable players of all levels to develop and enhance their footballing ability and skills within a firstclass environment .”
The partnership will see a calendar of events take place across the year including experiences not just for schools but for the wider community . Chelsea FC Foundation will also support St Dunstan ’ s with Lewisham sporting events , coaching sessions and supporting state schools with sports days . The Foundation will also deliver coaching for St Dunstan ’ s pupils Monday to Thursday , and facilitate students visiting the Chelsea FC Training Ground in Cobham .
The full-time officer will also work closely with St Dunstan ’ s to build relationships with local stakeholders to identify further partnership and community opportunities .
St Dunstan ’ s assistant head , co-curricular , Danny Gower , added : “ Sport plays such a key role in supporting the development of character . Young people learn about themselves ; how they respond to challenges and pressure , how they work with teammates and opponents and about the culture that they perform within .
“ While developing individuals , sport is also uniquely placed to bring communities together . We are delighted to have found a partner in Chelsea FC Foundation who are as committed to delivering experiences that enrich the lives of people across this community .”
St Dunstan ’ s College , located in Catford , South East London , is one of London ’ s leading independent schools having been named Senior School of the Year at last year ’ s Tes Schools Awards , and most recently , London ’ s Most Progressive Independent School at the Private Education Awards 2023 . The Chelsea FC Foundation is the world ’ s leading football social responsibility programme , using the power of football to motivate , educate and inspire .
Find out more about the groundbreaking partnership at www . stdunstans . org . uk . St Dunstan ’ s will also host a Football Open Morning on Wednesday 24 April 2024 , 10am – 12pm , for those interested in joining St Dunstan ’ s at 11 + and 16 +.
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