This summer, Mike Phelan Coaching brought elite football expertise into the classroom at Crawshawbooth Primary School.
The result was an afternoon of cross curricular learning that pupils will remember long after the final whistle.
A Different Kind of School Sports Programme
Primary school football coaching usually means cones, bibs and a ball on the playground.
This session went further, linking physical education directly to science, maths and communication skills.
Pupils moved between the classroom and the pitch across the afternoon, discovering how the two worlds connect. It is a model of PE curriculum support that shows schools what elite football expertise can add to everyday learning.
Handling History: Signed Shirts and Major Trophies
The session opened with a show and tell few schools ever experience.
Children handled signed match shirts from Brazil international Matheus Cunha and Portugal star Bruno Fernandes.
Pupils also viewed genuine medals and trophies from the Premier League, the Champions League, the Europa League, the Community Shield and the FIFA Club World Cup. Mike shared stories from his own career at Burnley, Manchester United and with the England national team.
Building Confidence Through Communication
Working in groups, pupils were tasked with selecting their ultimate England team, plus two international wildcards, then presenting their choices to the class.
Each group had to explain and defend its reasoning, engaging in healthy debate and backing up opinions with evidence. This kind of exercise builds confidence, character and courage, and maps directly onto Key Stage 2 spoken language and PSHE outcomes.
Science on the Pitch
Before a ball was kicked, pupils explored the anatomy and physiology behind elite performance.
The session covered the cardiovascular and muscular systems through the lens of running mechanics.
It is a practical example of how educational football workshops can bring Key Stage 2 science to life, turning a textbook diagram into something pupils had just felt in their own legs and lungs.
Match Ready on the Pitch
The afternoon finished where every good session should, out on the grass.
Pupils practised attacking play, teamwork and progressing the ball with control.
The session closed with goals, celebrations and the kind of unfiltered joy that reminds every coach why the game matters.
What the Headteacher Said
Chris Willan, Headteacher at Crawshawbooth Primary School, praised the impact of the visit.
“This was absolutely amazing. To see such a large number of boys and girls mesmerised, focused, and engaged for a whole afternoon is something I have rarely seen in a primary school setting. The subtle yet high-level links to the curriculum were a brilliant way to inspire our children. It showed them how education is a vital catalyst for any young person’s dreams, and why engaging across multiple subjects is crucial to realising your true potential. I cannot thank Mike Phelan Coaching enough; this was an experience money cannot buy and a learning opportunity of the very highest calibre.”
Why This Matters for Schools
Progress on the pitch and progress in the classroom come from the same places: hard work, resilience and self belief.
Mike Phelan Coaching combines elite football credibility with genuine educational value, offering a football education day that supports the curriculum rather than sitting apart from it.
Bring Mike Phelan Coaching to Your School
Schools across the country can enquire about educational football workshops and school sports programmes built around their own curriculum priorities.
Whether the focus is PE, science, maths or communication skills, sessions can be tailored to the age group and learning outcomes that matter most.
To find out more about bringing a football education day to your school, get in touch with the Mike Phelan Coaching team.
