Birmingham City are launching a groundbreaking £3.5m scheme to support their work in the community after an OFSTED inspection at one of their partner schools showed a remarkable upturn in fortunes.
King Edward VI Balaam Wood Academy is a school where 97 per cent of students receive free school meals and is the first to be converted into an academy school through the Birmingham City Foundation school partner programme.
Foundation coaches have been working at Balaam Wood every day across the academic timetable since last year when the school was given a “needs improvement” rating by school inspectorate OFSTED.
Balaam Wood has just been upgraded two levels to “good” in their latest review, with OFSTED pointing to the partnership with Birmingham City as an illustration of how they go above and beyond for their students.
Birmingham City are wasting no time in building on this and are now preparing to launch the 1875 Club to fund the rollout of their schools’ programme across different parts of the city and surrounding areas.
The 1875 Club is a nod to the birth of the club 149 years ago and is a private members club that offers 1875 people the chance to contribute £1875 to join the football club’s efforts to help rejuvenate the city.
The premise for the club is that the city has treated a lot of people very well, and many owe their success to Birmingham.
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Highlights from the Sky Bet Championship match between Birmingham and Middlesbrough
They hope the innovative scheme, which gives those with the broadest shoulders the opportunity to support parts of the city that need a helping hand, will raise £3.5m to support the club’s work with schools as well as other community projects.
Singh lands Blues role
Last month, Sky Sports News revealed that Panjabi Blues co-founder Sukh Singh will head up Birmingham City’s landmark new Official Supporters’ Clubs (OSC) network, alongside fellow Platinum away member Paul Delves.
Singh has emerged as a prominent figure in a number of force-for-good initiatives at Blues in recent years, with his Panjabi Blues group raising more than £11,500 for Blue Nose Day in December, in support of Birmingham City’s partnership with the Birmingham Children’s Trust after organising the very first ‘Sleep Out at St Andrews’.
Birmingham City CEO Garry Cook discusses the club’s work at Balaam Wood Academy
An instantly recognisable figure at matches home and away, Singh was part of Birmingham City’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion steering group last season.
He also appeared live on Sky Sports News to react to the announcement Tom Brady had become a minority owner in the club.
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Panjabi Blues founder and chair Sukh Singh reacted to the news of Tom Brady’s investment in Birmingham City
Singh told Sky Sports News: “It is an honour and a privilege to serve a wonderful institution like Birmingham City Football Club.
“The official supporters club give us a unique opportunity to properly unite, bringing Blues fans everywhere closer to the club and making them part of the special journey that this football club is embarking upon.”
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