The Bristol Rovers FC Study Centre, opened in January 2006 thanks to an additional grant from the Football Foundation, it is right at the heart of the Memorial Stadium under the Uplands Stand.

The day to day running of the Centre is managed by Becky Hunter; she is supported by Mandy Thorpe the Playing for Success Manager for Bristol.

The decor of the Centre is light and bright, and the room emphasises movement and space. The Study Centre is a fully equipped IT suite with an interactive whiteboard and sound system. The students are allocated their own workstation which includes an Apple iBook, digital camera and MP3 Player. Being able to access a range of equipment on an individual basis allow the pupils to have creative control over the projects they are set, we aim to give the students a personalised approach to learning.

Becky was appointed Deputy Centre Manager in April 2006 and she has worked to develop a highly creative and innovative curriculum. From visits to the Camera Obscura to BBC news reporting and Peer tutoring the children have a rich and varied learning experience here at Rovers.

The Centre has run photography and poetry projects with very successful results and the pupils work has been exhibited throughout the city including at the Tobacco Factory Theatre and St Mary Redcliffe Church. The young people use their images as inspiration for their writing and learn about Bristol's maritime history with Pirate themed animations.

We also work closely with Bristol Rovers Football in the Community, through this partnership a number of local primary children have been ASDAN accredited for their work. It is hoped that this model will be spread out throughout the city.

Recently we have had Primary and Secondary pupils take part in BBC school report with the children interviewing players and local broadcaster Geoff Twentyman, we hope to build on this good work and develop more journalistic based course.

There is a real positive buzz in the Centre, the atmosphere is focused yet fun. Young people work on their projects and use each other, as well as the adults, as a resource to help them. Everyone uses first names and the adults are seen as part of the team. Players and staff around the stadium are very supportive and often call in to see what the children are working on; meeting the players and management is a real highlight of the students' time here.

A course at the Centre lasts for a term or six weeks. We have places for 15 young people at a time, due to the size of the minibus that we use to transport the young people to the Stadium and back to their school. At the end of each course we hold a 'Celebration Event' at the Stadium, Teachers and families are invited along to see their children receive their awards and the pupils prizes are presented by Rovers players.
There is a genuine sense of pride and achievement when their work is exhibited at the Celebration Event.