A West Bromwich Albion football shirt, presented by The Albion Foundation, has taken pride of place at Shireland Biomedical UTC in West Bromwich. The shirt marks a milestone that celebrates the school’s ongoing collaboration with the Foundation and the opportunities it provides for students.
The Albion Foundation, which works with schools across Sandwell, offers mentoring and small-group support designed to complement students’ learning and personal development. Through these sessions, students develop confidence, strengthen resilience, and enhance their focus and motivation in their studies.
Mentors, trained in safeguarding and mental health first aid, provide guidance and encouragement in a supportive environment, helping students flourish both inside and outside the classroom.
At Shireland Biomedical UTC, the programme supports students in setting personal goals, develop their voice and leadership, and taking on challenges with greater self-assurance. For many, having a mentor provides valuable guidance and encouragement that complements academic learning and nurtures personal growth.
Gulfam Shahzad, Principal at Shireland Biomedical UTC, said: “Connections like this – whether through mentoring, community projects, or our ongoing work with The Albion Foundation – show students the possibilities open to them.
“They see how engagement, ambition, and support can help them grow as individuals, inspire them to aim higher, and understand that they are part of something bigger. We are proud to be working alongside the Foundation to give our students these opportunities.”
Since its engagement with The Albion Foundation, students at the Academy have taken part in a range of experiences that support their development and connect them with the wider community.
These have included attending matchday press conferences, sitting in the press box, writing their own match reports, and developing skills in sports journalism through the Supporter to Reporter programme. Others have met supporters living with dementia and Alzheimer’s as part of the club’s Memories Group, learning about the social impact of sport and engaging meaningfully with local people.
Through these programmes, the school demonstrates that learning, personal growth, and community engagement are interconnected, and that embracing these opportunities can help students reach their full potential.
