Throughout July 2025 the National Football Museum welcomed schools into their building, with students taking part in a variety of different sessions linking directly curriculum learning. Students have engaged in discussions and activities that explore the history and social context of Football which have encouraged students to reflect on how football is now and how it has been impacted by the past.

In July, the ‘Lily Parr: Then and Now’ has been delivered to KS1 and KS2 students who have explored the objects found in the museums collections to learn about Lily Parr and the Dick, Kerr Ladies team as well as what life was like for women during WW1.

‘Designer Balls’ was another session delivered to schools throughout July. These sessions have been full of energy and excitement as students have worked together in groups to create their own footballs from recycled materials and craft items from the museum. The footballs have then been judged on bounce, looks and feel! This is another session where students have had the opportunity to handle a variety of objects (footballs) from the museum collection, learning about how they’ve changed over the years- comparing materials, styles and suitability. These footballs include the weighty cheese wheel-esque variation that Harrow Football Club play with (pictured below).

‘Students have shown an eagerness to get stuck into these sessions, sharing opinions and ideas that reflect on how football has changed over the years to become what it is now’ – facilitator

The National Football Museum’s schools programme will continue next academic year (2025/25) with new exciting additions to keep an eye out for!