Pupils at Chater Infants School in Watford recently enjoyed a special themed ‘Story Stars’ session, delivered as part of Premier League Primary Stars by Watford FC’s Community Sports and Education Trust. The session was led by Trust staff alongside Holly Gunn from the National Literacy Trust (NLT), inspiring children to explore the power of storytelling and creativity through football-themed learning.
Premier League Primary Stars is the Premier League’s primary school education programme. Funded by the Premier League, through the Premier League Charitable Fund, the programme uses the appeal of football to help children to be active and develop essential life skills.
The Story Stars theme linked literacy with sport, helping children build confidence in reading and writing while developing teamwork and communication skills. The visit also looked ahead to 2026 – the National Year of Reading, a UK-wide initiative led by the Department for Education in partnership with the National Literacy Trust, aimed at making reading for pleasure a modern, social, and inclusive activity for all.
Speaking after the session, Holly Gunn, Programme Manager at the National Literacy Trust, said:
“It was fantastic to see how the children at Chater Infants School responded to Story Stars. Using the excitement of football and the inspiration of their local club really brought stories to life. Reading for pleasure has such a powerful impact on children’s confidence, wellbeing and attainment — and sessions like this show that reading can be fun, social, and something everyone can enjoy.”
Watford FC’s Community Sports and Education Trust continue to deliver a wide range of Premier League Primary Stars interventions in schools across Hertfordshire and Harrow — combining sport, education and personal development to make a positive difference in young people’s lives. If your primary school would like to get involved, there are several sessions and interventions across PSHE, Maths, and English – including Reading Stars, a perfect fit for the National Year of Reading 2026.
Special Offer: For bookings made for either Spring or Summer delivery before the end of the Autumn term (19th December), schools can claim a 10% discount on programmes.
For more information or to book, contact School Sports Manager Ben Wells at ben.wells@watfordfc.com, or School Sports Project Officer Nicola Burton at nicola.burton@watfordfc.com.