WATCH: King Edward Primary School set for training day at Aberdeen FC
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
King Edward Primary School pupils are set to follow in the footsteps of their footballing heroes after winning the opportunity to train at Aberdeen FC's Cormack Park.
The school had the highest percentage of its roll signed up to the club's AberDNA scheme by the end of the competition and have won the experience day, which will be held when restrictions allow.
As the winning school, the pupils will be transported to Cormack Park on an AFC coach where they will get a chance to see where the first team train each day before receiving a coaching masterclass from Aberdeen FC Community Trust coaches.
The pupils at King Edward were sent a video message by AFC captain Joe Lewis , breaking the news that they had won the special prize, which can be viewed below:
Head teacher Audrey Clark said: "Thanks to all at AFC for this amazing prize and opportunity.
"The children, their families and myself are over the moon and the news couldn't have come at a better time."
A community trust spokesman said: "Launched in March of last year, AberDNA Junior now has more than 6900 members from all corners of the globe.
"Each member will be invited to Pittodrie to ceremonially sign for The Dons when it is safe to do so, in addition to being able to enjoy two matches – when full crowds return – at Pittodrie as part of their membership."
Junior members are also issued a welcome pack which includes collectable cards featuring Joe Lewis and Ross McCrorie.
There are two additional prizes to be won by AberDNA Junior members. The deadline has now passed and both of these prizes will be drawn and announced in the coming weeks.
King Edward Primary School also signed up to Aberdeen FC Community Trust’s (AFCCT) Partner Schools Initiative this season.
A total of 23 schools from across the north-east are part of it with each choosing from a range of programmes, offered through the scheme, which best suits the needs of their pupils.
The overall goal of this partnership, which sees the trust’s coaches work with pupils, parents and teachers, is to help close the poverty-related attainment gap by drawing on the passion for football.
In the past two years, the trust has successfully worked with 14,000 children, many of whom require behavioural, emotional, and social support.
The projects are run in association with schools, breakfast clubs, after-school and community clubs, and other education projects. They have been proven to reduce absenteeism and lateness, raise attainment levels, improve pupil health and wellbeing and encourage participation in their local communities.
The partnership programme has made such an impact that AFC was named Best Professional Club by UEFA in its 2019 Grassroots Awards.
Schools are allocated pupil equity funding to provide support to their pupils. The decision on how or where to use that funding is up to the discretion of the head teacher.
