Our School Engagement Team brings together a wealth of experience in education and a shared passion for Dunfermline Athletic. Led by retired educators and long-time supporters of The Pars, the team delivers inspiring, curriculum-linked programmes that connect learning with the real world. From behind-the-scenes tours of East End Park for primary schools and college groups, to hands-on workshops like “Marketing the Pars” for secondary pupils, and the Pars Tackle Health programme promoting healthy lifestyles, the team engages pupils with interactive sessions that combine education, sport, and community. Through these initiatives, young people gain insights into careers, teamwork, marketing, and wellbeing, all while experiencing the excitement of life at the club.
Learn about the wider employment-related aspects in the world of football. ‘Tours for Schools’ gives children the opportunity to learn about the broader employment-related aspects in the football industry, including business, retail, hospitality, media, and maintenance. Former secondary school Depute Dave Dawson welcomes pupils and staff to East End Park. The tour is undertaken in small groups of approx 10 pupils (with staff), looking at jobs behind the scenes in this real-life business — catering, hospitality, ground maintenance, and media — with the focus on skills for life and for work. Pupils are firstly given a handout to consider the sort of jobs they will see, and a further worksheet to complete as they move around the stadium. Complimentary pens are given; outdoor clothing is essential.
The ‘Pars Tackle Health’ programme aims to promote positive attitudes towards good health and fitness in primary school children, using professional footballers as role models. It helps to consolidate the Learning Outcomes covered in Health & Wellbeing, throughout their Primary School education. Two DAFC players and a coach from the Pars Foundation visit each participating primary school, accompanied by former schoolteachers, Gennaro Giudice and Sandy Wyse who coordinate the workshops and introduce the players.
Pars Stars in the Media aims to develop a range of literacy skills using football as a stimulus. Ex-Primary School Depute Head Teacher, Wullie Oliphant, and a coach from the Pars Foundation Team will arrive in your classroom at 10am and begin by looking at newspaper reports of Pars games. Session runs from 10am until 2.30pm approx. The class will look at the vocabulary used in a football newspaper report. They will then practise interview skills and should time allow they will try to conduct a match commentary. A Pars foundation coach will provide a short skills session in the afternoon. If interested Wullie will provide further details of your session.
A real-life look at how the club markets itself to the many different segments of its fan base. A look at how Dunfermline Athletic FC markets itself to fans and sponsors. We will cover market segmentation and the P’s of Marketing. Pupils learn through a revised lesson, using practical group work and discussion to develop their Business Management knowledge and understanding of marketing.