Keen footballers at Bearwood College were overjoyed to see the Barclays Premiership Cup in school on Thursday 4th October.
The cup was delivered by two dedicated Barclays personnel in a car with tinted windows concealing the 8-stone metal case holding the trophy. The cup itself could be handled only with gloves and no photographs were allowed until it was completely dressed with its ribbons and mounted on a special plinth. This was indeed special treatment for a very special trophy!
In fact, it is one of two identical trophies; the other being kept for the year by the season's winner for their own promotional purposes. The only difference between the two is a tiny 'Asprey' hallmark just by the handle on the trophy used by Barclays which is missing from the one held by the football club.
The cup was visiting Bearwood College in support of the school’s Physical Education programme which continues to go from strength to strength.
Bearwood College uses a system developed by the University of Durham, called ‘ALIS’ to assess each of its Sixth Former’s natural intelligence level and to establish expected and aspirational learning goals in line with their inherent abilities. ALIS is also used to measure the ‘value added’ performance of the College, ie the success of the school in helping each pupil achieve beyond their natural ability level. Last Summer’s PE results demonstrated excellent 'value addition' at Bearwood with each scholar at A2 scoring on average nearly 1.5 grades ahead of their ALIS prediction. Top of the tree was Joint Senior Prefect (Head Girl) Emily Talbot with an A* which she is now using to explore many potential courses at top Universities as she completes her Ski Instructors Course in a Gap year. Not far behind, James Greehy and Christopher Clubb attained A grades. James' Mountain Activities coursework was taken by the exam board and is now used as an exemplar of good practice for other establishments, such was the quality of his efforts. The AS group also performed well achieving, on average, over a grade ahead of their estimated grades.
Outside the classroom, Bearwood’s Friday afternoon activity programme has been organised to allow 5th and 6th form scholars to participate in recreational and competitive football during the Autumn term, when the main focus of College sport is on Rugby. There are currently 30 enthusiastic members of the football activity who have been enjoying fixtures against other local schools.
Beyond the Sixth Form, Bearwood College is proud to be hosting Pro-Direct’s Football Academy in Berkshire. Tactic Football, offers professional development and coaching qualifications to budding footballers. Director, Tristan Lewis, explains that they provide 1-3 year courses for 18-21 year olds keen to pursue a career in football. “These lads are great footballers with massive enthusiasm for the game. They just haven’t been picked up yet by professional clubs for whatever reason, and we can help them further their ambitions.” Tactic Football is assisting the football programme at Bearwood College, initially working with the Friday afternoon football activity group. Tactic Football also provide the football coaching at Eton College and for a number of state and independent schools within the Berkshire area. Bearwood College is delighted to welcome a group of such calibre onto our campus and value their professional input as we nurture the sporting talents of our scholars.