Study Support, under the banner of Playing for Success, is a joint partnership between the LEA, DfES and sports club. The LEA and DfES provide financial backing to fund the scheme, whilst the sports clubs involved provide venues and incentives. Without any of these three partners, Playing for Success would not exist as it does today.

Sheffield LEA

DfES (Department for Education and Skills)

The Department for Education and Skills Playing for Success initiative is establishing out of school hours study support centres at football clubs and other sports’ grounds.  The centres use the environment and medium of football, rugby and other sports as motivational tools, and focus on raising literacy, numeracy and ICT standards amongst Key Stage 2 and 3 pupils who are struggling a little and often demotivated.

Quote from Charles Clarke MP

“Playing for Success shows that motivating children to learn through sport works. It’s the magic of football, rugby, cricket and the heroes they produce that children love. Playing for Success is incredibly popular with pupils, parents and teachers and is boosting the skills, self-esteem and motivation of thousands of children. It demonstrates the value of partnership between schools and the community. As Secretary of State I am delighted to see Playing for Success going from strength to strength”.

The DfES also provides Study Support Centres with a self-evaluation award scheme. The Quality in Study Support (QiSS) recognition scheme is founded on The Code of Practice encouraging providers to set demanding goals to achieve higher quality standards.  QiSS gives public recognition to achievement and fosters good practice and higher standards by encouraging comparison with and learning from the practice of others.

One of the key features of QiSS is that a portfolio of evidence is required to match the key quality indicators in support of a centre's claim to have reached standards for each of the three levels defined by The Code of Practice: Emerging, Established and Advanced.  Evidence is gathered over time as centres develop and evaluate their provision against the Code.  A set of benchmarks facilitates the process and a summary of evidence is developed which reflects the centre or school context. 

Another feature of QiSS is that the evidence is presented to peers for scrutiny and recommendation for certification by the National Youth Agency (NYA). It provides opportunities for collaboration with other centres and is a means of sharing practice.  It provides opportunities for continued professional development and a sense of achievement for those involved.

SUFC Study Support Centre are currently working towards QISS Established status.