July 4, 2025, by Arts Placements
NOTTS COUNTY – MORE THAN JUST FOOTBALL
Final year English student, Jasmine Bilner, looks back at her placement with Notts County Academy
OPPORTUNITY IN EVERYTHING
I initially applied for the role of Education support officer within the academy as I saw it as a unique opportunity to further my skills. I have a love for the club and sport but to me, it was really important seeing education as highly valued despite how young the children were. During my interview, Josh, my placement host, explained how the education system worked in relation to a sporting environment. He also spoke about the struggles and opportunities the children involved faced. I was hooked immediately. This was the perfect opportunity for me to give back to others and not just in a classroom environment.
A few weeks after my interview, I met up with Josh and the team and this made me feel part of the Academy. I was provided the team uniform and made known to everyone within the club. There was a delay in working with the children as I had to participate in some safeguarding training and a DBS check – fully funded by Notts County. Whilst this was happening, I learnt a lot about data collection and professional communication from phone calls to emails with schools and coaches. Jo and Hayley, from the Faculty Placements Team, fully supported me. They kept in regular contact and both teams allowed me to work around some health issues I encountered. This meant I could still get the most out of the experience.
GREATEST MEMORIES
Notts County provided me with so many opportunities. One standout moment from my placement was the Primary School Reading initiative. I ran a programme with the young children, teaching them the importance of reading and literacy. This was through interactive challenges, such as a World Book Day EDL event whilst the team taught football. This boosted my confidence and allowed me to develop my interpersonal skills. This wasn’t it though, I worked closely with Josh on schemes beyond the classroom. We helped schools deal with behavioural issues with interventions as well as gifting primary schools shirts and building up trusting, professional relationships with the children.
A highlight beyond the work in English and teaching was helping to run events on the pitch club and seeing how the football industry works on so many different levels.
LOOKING AHEAD
This placement has shaped me and helped me grow as a person. It has been instrumental to my career goals having gained valuable insights into places I would like to work. I’ve seen how education and teaching belongs in all aspects of a child’s life, not just a classroom. I gained incomparable confidence and am forever grateful for the opportunities and influences that have arisen from the club. Josh, especially has guided me beyond this placement journey.
LEARNING AND BEYOND
My advice to anyone thinking of applying for a placement is do it! The experience, the skill development and the people you meet are unmatched. Although my placement was unpaid, my DBS and travel expenses were covered, and I was well looked after by both teams.
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