Learning Zone @ Wembley Stadium set to inspire young people of Brent
4th December 2007

A new, state-of-the-art Playing for Success study support centre will be unveiled at Wembley Stadium today and is set to provide exciting new learning opportunities for the young people of Brent. The flagship centre, named 'The Learning Zone', is physically based inside the new national stadium and will provide a unique, innovative and inspirational learning environment for young people in the local area during out of school hours.

The Learning Zone @ Wembley Stadium is a joint endeavour between Brent Council, The Department of Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) and Wembley Stadium and will today be officially unveiled by Children's Minister Kevin Brennan MP. Stuart Pearce, England U21 Coach and former Brent resident, will also be present to celebrate the opening of the centre and to meet some children from a local school who will be testing out the centre for the first time.

Open primarily during term time on weekdays, after school hours (not on Stadium event days), this new Wembley centre will allow young people from across Brent to develop their literacy, numeracy, and ICT skills whilst building confidence and self esteem.   The Learning Zone, which has benefited from the support of Microsoft – the Stadium's Founding Partner – which has contributed the software and some hardware for the room, will provide an open and flexible learning environment, using state-of-the-art technology and fun and creative interactive exercises.

The project is jointly funded by the Department of Children Schools and Families through its Playing for Success Initiative, Brent Council and Wembley Stadium.  The Learning Zone will be managed by a Centre Manager (an experienced, qualified teacher) and have a part-time teacher on site.   It is also proposed that learning mentors from Wembley Stadium and the wider community will provide youngsters with a varied range of role models and a unique learning experience.

Cllr Paul Lorber, Leader of Brent Council, says: "Brent Council is committed to helping young people in Brent achieve their goals and the Learning Zone at Wembley Stadium further develops our range of extended schools activities.  We are delighted that through its Playing for Success Initiative, the Government has chosen to part fund this new facility in Brent. The fact that it will be based inside the iconic new Wembley Stadium will, I am sure, encourage young people to participate."  

"The Learning Zone will provide an inspirational learning environment and intensive and extended learning support for those young people in Brent that need it most, which will help them to achieve their potential in a fun and exciting way."

Alex Horne, Managing Director of Wembley Stadium, says: "We are delighted that this three-way partnership will deliver new learning opportunities for Brent youngsters using the stadium as both a base and a stimulus.   Wembley Stadium is committed to delivering long term benefits to the local community and this exciting initiative ensures that local youngsters feel the benefit of having the national stadium on their doorstep."

Children’s Minister Kevin Brennan says: “I am absolutely delighted to open the new centre in Wembley Stadium and delighted the young people will be inspired by such an outstanding facility. I hope that it becomes the flagship centre of this hugely successful initiative.

“Playing for Success has really delivered for the 250,000 young people taking part since it was launched – showing how, for the right child, learning in a sports-related environment can boost attainment, behaviour and motivation.”