The Children’s Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel de Souza, visited the Foundation at Portman Road on Tuesday, 16 June, to see the Foundation’s Premier League Primary Stars programme in action.

Year 5 and 6 pupils from St Matthew’s Primary School took part in the session delivered by Schools Engagement Officer Marcus Smith, with Dame Rachel observing and joining in throughout.

Town Women’s captain Maria Boswell and WBO World Heavyweight Champion Fabio Wardley also took part in the session, while Ipswich MP Jack Abbott watched the pupils in action.

The visit was designed to encourage youngsters to have a voice and to show them that their opinion matters.

Premier League Primary Stars is the Premier League’s primary school education programme. Funded by the Premier League through the Premier League Foundation, the programme uses the appeal of football to help children be active and develop essential life skills.

Ipswich Town Foundation uses the inspiration of Ipswich Town Football Club and the Premier League to improve and enhance PE, PSHE, English and Maths. The aim is to build the skills and values that help children lead healthy, active, well-rounded lives.

The pupils present took part in the Premier League Primary Stars session, which included activities centred around mental health and team building, as well as a penalty shootout.

They also joined a discussion, where they spoke about the positive and negatives of social media, what they love about Ipswich, and what improvements they would like to see in the local area in future.

The Children’s Commissioner for England is responsible for promoting and protecting the rights of children.

Tuesday’s visit formed part of Dame Rachel’s Big Future survey, her third and final national survey as Commissioner.

The survey asks children and young people across England what childhood is like for them today, and what they’d like to see change in their communities and beyond.

“This was not only a memorable experience the children will never forget, but it’s also teaching them skills they’ll really need,” said Dame Rachel de Souza, Children’s Commissioner for England.

“Childhood is changing, politicians are trying to keep up, and I want them to listen to young people before making decisions – that’s why The Big Future survey is so important. I want every young person in Ipswich have their say!”

“Being approached by an influential office in the country is another significant marker of the progress we are making and recognition of the impact the Foundation is having on children and young people in Ipswich,” added Dan Palfrey, Director of Foundation.

For more information on Ipswich Town Foundation, visit itfcfoundation.co.uk.