Sporting chance for a lesson in city’s football history

Young people in Leeds have the chance to kick-off a fascinating journey through the city’s football history thanks to a unique online learning resource.

Using a digitised collection of stirring images and memories, families learning together at home can explore more than a century of nostalgia, learn more about the beautiful game and relive some of the glory days of Leeds United in the club’s centenary year.

The collection is part of the Leeds Curriculum, an award-winning online education project developed by Leeds Museums and Galleries alongside more than 40 arts and culture organisations and 30 primary schools which is free for everyone to use.

Among the photos and footage included on the site is an iconic image of legendary manager Don Revie embracing club skipper Billy Bremner and holding aloft the FA Cup after victory over in the 1972 cup final.

Also included is a photo of the popular 1990 squad, which featured fan-favourites Gordon Strachan, David Batty and the late Gary Speed.

A poignant picture also shows the members of the 1956 Leeds team inspecting their Elland Road home’s West Stand after it had been completely destroyed by fire.

And visitors can also learn more about a huge rage of broader sporting stories, including the evolution of women’s football and the incredible story of Dick, Kerr's Ladies FC, one of the country’s oldest women’s football teams.

The Leeds Curriculum is usually used predominantly by primary school teachers.

But with most of the city’s schools currently closed as part of efforts to manage the spread of coronavirus, the council is encouraging more parents to use the site’s thousands of resources as way of helping with home learning.

By logging on to MyLearning.org, families can learn about key objects from the 1.3million items in the Leeds Museums Galleries collection, from prehistoric Leeds, the city’s industrial heritage and life in Leeds today. The site also hosts curriculum relevant topics from museums libraries and archives from across the country.

Councillor Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council, said: “We know the current school closures have presented a unique challenge to the many parents and carers who have children at home that they want to ensure stay engaged with learning.

“Through the Leeds Curriculum, families have access to a free, structured learning resource that enables them to explore a range of stories, subjects and exhibits from our spectacular museums and galleries collection.

“We hope this will give parents a place to go to help their children indulge their intellectual curiosity and find out more about history, heritage and the city where they live.”

Last year the Leeds Curriculum was named Educational Initiative of the Year at the prestigious Museums + Heritage Awards.

Ton find out more or to start exploring the Leeds Curriculum, visit: https://www.mylearning.org/collections/leeds-curriculum

ENDS