Everton give former Goodison Park stadium space a surprising new purpose to inspire young people

Everton's former home has taken on a new purpose, with classrooms created inside Goodison Park to give young people an opportunity to learn in one of English football's most historic grounds.

The club has partnered with Everton Multi-Academy Trust to establish learning spaces in the Park End stand, repurposing former television broadcast boxes as classrooms for Everton Football College.

Goodison Park begins unique new chapter

The classrooms have been designed with views overlooking the pitch, offering students a unique environment to continue their education in.

The initiative aims to encourage young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to engage with learning and recognise the opportunities available to them.

The project is part of a wider effort to preserve Goodison Park's place in the local community after Everton's men's first team moved to the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton Football College moved to Goodison Park as part of the club's plans for the stadium's next chapter, with Everton Women also making the ground their permanent home.

The education provision is overseen by The People's Learning Trust, the multi-academy trust behind Everton Football College and Everton Free School.

The trust uses football to engage students and support their academic, personal and professional development.

Former Everton midfielder and club ambassador Graham Stuart said of the initiative: “It must be great for the kids to be able to turn around and say, you know, where I go to school, Goodison Park.

“Hopefully it is inspiring to the kids. One of the classrooms overlooks the pitch so I bet there's a clamour for the kids to be in that classroom.

“Some people's concern was that once we went down to Hill Dickinson we'd forget all about L4 – but that certainly was never, ever going to happen.

“Goodison Park, our original home, is still hugely important to us and the whole community.”

Connor Atkinson, who studied at Everton Football College and now works for Everton in the Community, added: “I was a little bit disengaged and I didn't do the best in in in terms of GCSE results.

“Linking sport and education is massive. Every child, every young person is different and every child and young person has a different learning style.”

FGG Says: A great move from Everton

This is great to see from Everton, who have found a unique way to use Goodison Park following their move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Plenty of young people should be inspired by having the opportunity to learn inside a historic football ground and it could have a real lasting impact.