SAINTS stars have lent their names to a new programme designed to motivate children in school.

Premier League Primary Stars is a set of school resources featuring all 20 premier league clubs and 74 EFL and national league football clubs.

Drawing on the excitement of the premier league and young people’s interest in football it’s aimed at inspiring children to learn, be active and develop life skills. Open to all primary schools in the city it gives completely free teaching resource packs covering PE, maths, and PSHE for children aged five to 11.

With examples from the world of top football stars the resources provide lesson content, video and fun activities to get youngsters excited about learning. Now 60 city schools have signed up to the scheme - but a Hampshire MP is urging more Southampton schools to get involved.

Southampton Itchen MP Royston Smith said: “Football is a huge influence on many young people and it is great to see that passion being harnessed to improve the educational attainment of our children. The importance of positive role models cannot be understated so I am pleased to see all 20 Premier League Clubs coming together to deliver football stars to this project.”

Richard Scudamore, Executive Chairman of the Premier League added: “The Premier League and our Clubs are committed to using our reach and ability to inspire children to support them in their learning whether that be PE, PSHE or Maths and English. The need for and interest in Primary Stars has been huge and we have had an incredible response to the programme to date. With more Clubs on board, we are committing even more resource to develop content and will continue to evolve and develop the programme to fit the needs of the teachers and pupils”.

The scheme also includes writing and reading competitions and challenges - with a current poetry competition on the theme of resilience.

As reported Saints star Nathan Redmond went to Redbridge Primary School for the day to get kids interested - and now other Southampton players will feature in new resources to be released this year.