School skills boost thanks to new partnership with Cod Army Chairman

Fylde coast entrepreneur and Chairman of Fleetwood Town Football Club, Andy Pilley, has pledged his support for local special school, Highfurlong, through the launch of an exciting new partnership.

After seeing the staff and students of Highfurlong in action during a recent visit to the school, Andy spotted the opportunity for his various businesses to help out in a number of ways, such as providing the unique chance for students to boost their knowledge and employability skills.   

Andy and his team will also be providing bespoke sport and fitness sessions at the club’s state of the art training and community facility, Poolfoot Farm, plus offering support with design and marketing of the Highfurlong gift shop and other fundraising activities.   

Highfurlong School, which is rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted, delivers education and care to children and young people with a wide range of physical, medical and neurological conditions aged between two and 19 years old. 

Andy wanted to not only provide students with fun experiences, but also the chance to learn key skills they can transfer to the workplace, which is crucial especially as they reach the end of their school careers.   

They will have the opportunity to experience the world of work through placements at Poolfoot Farm and BES Utilities, and members of staff from a range of departments at BES have already shown a keen interest in delivering careers talks at the school. 

Students will also be able to take part in workshops during their enterprise class, such as logo design with the Marketing Team at Card Saver, where they can get their creative thinking caps on and contribute to the design of a new logo for their on-site shop, The Gift Box. 

In addition, the whole school will be invited to take part in an exciting competition to raise awareness of energy efficiency. 

“I was hugely impressed by the facilities at Highfurlong, but what struck me most of all was the warm welcome we received from the students and staff,” said Andy. 

“I’m delighted to launch our partnership, which will enable my various businesses, including the football club, to get involved and support this fantastic school and the amazing pupils.  I’m really looking forward to getting to know everyone more over the coming months.”    

Neill Oldham, Headteacher of Highfurlong, said: 

“We are really excited to welcome Andy and his team, and have genuinely been blown away with all the opportunities they are able to offer our pupils. 

“It has been our pleasure to welcome key members of Andy’s team into the school and to receive their positive input. This collaboration has opened the door to many new opportunities for our learners, including a brand new football team kit for our newly formed team, the use of the amazing facilities at Poolfoot and at Highbury, and most importantly the access to a wide range of work experience activities.”