As millions of youngsters across the UK open up their GCSE results, Leicester Tigers education programmes such as HITZ can provide an effective education and employability solution to young people affected by the current landscape.
The Tigers Foundation and Premiership Rugby run programme, HITZ, helps individuals aged 16+ to earn vital qualifications including maths and English, undertake valuable work experience opportunities and engage with sport as a career.
The alternate path to more mainstream choices can be valuable option for young people not in education, employment or training, as well as providing opportunities for schools to take advantage of.
Programmes like HITZ and Dynamite (14-15 years old) look to work with local schools to support students who may be struggling in their present environment. The club opens the doors at Welford Road hosting classrooms, workshops and work experience opportunities each season. Dynamite offers a great resource to schools looking for out-of-school or extra-curricular provisions, with HITZ open to as a pathway for schools and colleges as well as interested groups and individuals who are looking for more flexible career options.
Previous years have seen individuals gain qualifications, work at Welford Road and Oval Park as well as hear advice from Leicester Tigers players and staff. Watch Mitchell's story below.
In the current Covid-19 climate, the club is already taking steps to safeguard programmes like this as the club’s head of community Scott Clarke explains.
“With so many youngsters receiving their grades, unfortunately it coincides with a time of interrupted curriculums and a rise in youth unemployment.
“We are taking steps to ensure a Covid-safe environment is accessible at the stadium in our classroom, and that the programme also has contingencies to continue delivery should the virus come back and we are back into a forced lockdown.
“We will continue to support and assist those presently struggling in mainstream education to find an alternative and practical way of learning with sport and employability as its key focus.
Individuals, schools or organisations that would like to get involved with the upcoming cohort of HITZ sessions will be able to do so from next week, with programmes commencing from early September.
If you’ve received your GSCE results today and would like more information, or to enrol, simply email Anthony.O'[email protected]
