Sean Longstaff joins Newcastle United Foundation maths class with a difference

Newcastle United hero paid a surprise visit to meet primary school children building their mathematics and financial skills with Newcastle United Foundation.

Year 4 pupils from Walkergate Community School, in Newcastle’s East End, experienced a school day like no other as their hometown hero was introduced to the class being held in the Foundation’s community hub, NUCASTLE, powered by Newcastle Building Society.

In NUCASTLE’s dedicated Liontrust classroom, Longstaff joined children enjoying a Financial Football maths lesson delivered by Foundation staff.

Using the popularity and profile of Newcastle United, the Foundation uses vital funding and support from Premier League Primary Stars and Liontrust to give hundreds of schoolchildren confidence in using mathematics in day-to-day life through a head start in financial education.

After taking pictures with pupils and signing autographs for the class, Longstaff – who is a proud ambassador for the charity – answered an array of questions about his own school experience, the importance of teamwork and achieving his dreams of playing for his boyhood club.

Longstaff said: “It’s always great to see the impact that Newcastle United Foundation has and the work they do in the community.

“Inspiring school pupils using football in maths is a really creative way to get more young people involved in a subject at school that they might not enjoy or might struggle with. It’s important to build maths skills up and it’s clear it’s had a big impact on the pupils I’ve met.”

He added: “I’m very proud to be an ambassador for the Foundation and seeing the work the charity does first-hand is always an excellent experience. There are opportunities for everyone and it’s a pleasure to be part of sessions like this and getting to know the people the Foundation support.”

Steve Beharall, Chief Executive of Newcastle United Foundation, said: “Sean is a real role model for the next generation here in the North East who can see what can be achieved through resilience and hard work. We’re sure young people supported by the Foundation at NUCASTLE had an unforgettable experience meeting their Newcastle United hero in the classroom.”

Following the success of the long-running Financial Football numeracy programme among Year 5 and Year 6 pupils across the North East, Newcastle United Foundation developed the Key Stage 2 initiative to introduce Year 4 pupils to problem-solving through football-based puzzles.

Walkergate Community School pupils used graphs and coordinates to plot where football players, footballs and cones would be placed on a football pitch in their maths booklet produced in partnership with Liontrust asset management company.

Simon Hildrey, Chief Marketing Officer at Liontrust, said: “At Liontrust, we believe maths and financial literacy are crucial skills that every individual should possess, and it’s important children learn these skills at an early age.

“We were thrilled about the enthusiasm and dedication shown by the primary school children of Walkergate Community during the Financial Football maths lessons, and to have Sean Longstaff’s presence to inspire and motivate them.

“We are proud to be working with Newcastle United Foundation to promote financial literacy to primary school children and develop their skills to prepare them for a better future.”

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