A unique programme designed to help youngsters who are underachieving at schools in Colchester will be launched in the New Year.

The Eagles Extra Time Club will use sport to help pupils bridge the gap between primary and secondary school, in what is thought to be the first of its kind in the country.

It has been devised by Colchester United Community Sports Trust, which already runs a number of projects for thousands of youngsters in more than 100 primary and secondary schools in a bid to raise academic standards through sport.

The trust has been working with headteachers and Essex Learning Services to bring the club together, which is aimed at boys and girls who, for various reasons, are not achieving their full potential at school.

Greg Sadler, the trust's education support officer, said the project is expected to generate a lot of interest, with its first results being analysed and reported on the National Grid for Learning.

"This is a hugely exciting project," he said.

"By making them feel part of a special club that used sport to improve literacy and numeracy skills, motivating them and building their confidence, we hope to make a real difference to the sort of lives these youngsters go on to lead."

The girls' programme, involving sports including football and basketball, will be carried out in St Anne's, St Andrew's and Hazelmere Junior Schools and Sir Charles Lucas School, while the boys, focusing on fun football activities, will be run in Old Heath, Monkwick and Cherry Tree Primary School, which feed pupils through to Thomas, Lord Audley School.

Will Hawkesworth, headteacher at St Anne's Primary School, said: "This is all about giving our older girls the personal confidence to have a go at a sporting activity, which is something many of them don't have.

Published Thursday December 27, 2001