Bath Rugby Foundation’s successful Stickability literacy programme, which is sponsored by Trowbridge-based The Consortium, is to continue for a further two years.
The programme gives young people aged between nine and 10 the opportunities and support to develop learning skills and confidence. 
It is delivered in primary schools throughout Bath & North East Somerset and Wiltshire through a combination of classroom-based literacy sessions and active tag rugby sport sessions.
The programme aims to reinforce five core learning skills: Individual problem solving; Perseverance and focus; Emotional resilience; Empathy and supporting others; Teamwork and collaboration.
Each school involved receives two hours of provision each week for six weeks. In the first hour pupils work to develop their writing skills in the classroom, and then head out to work on their tag rugby skills in the second hour. The five core learning skills are reinforced throughout both halves of the session through a special sticker system and lots of praise.
In addition to fully funding the two year programme, The Consortium staff take time out of their working day to assist in the delivery of the programme. Data collected last year shows these volunteers provided more than 400 hours of support in the first year of delivery and had an impact on around 800 local children.
The Consortium managing director Glenn Leech, a volunteer on the programme last year, said: “I am really proud of the support The Consortium has provided to the Bath Rugby Foundation, and delighted that we have extended this partnership for another two years.
“It is clear that the Stickability programme is a fantastic scheme – it provides huge benefits to the children as well as being great fun to be a part of. We look forward to working alongside Vicky and her team for the next couple of years.”
The project is led by Bath Rugby Foundation’s education manager Vicky Heslop with delivery support from Foundation coach Joe Aygul.
Vicky Heslop said: “The Consortium’s support has been, and will to continue to be, invaluable. We wouldn’t be able to run the programme without The Consortium providing equipment and their staff as weekly volunteers to help deliver the programme.”
