ISFA’s Skills Festival for U8s

Forest Preparatory School hosted 30 boys and girls from Woodford Green Preparatory School and 26 boys from Chigwell School for an afternoon of small-sided games.

P.E teacher, Mr Arnold said: “We had nearly 80 pupils from the three schools playing football in a positive and encouraging environment, it was pleasing to see lots of smiling faces.”

The afternoon started with Woodford Green Prep School playing Forest, while Chigwell worked on their ‘keepy skills’ and ball manipulation, before the three schools swapped around.

Mr Arnold added: “I was very pleased with the standard of play, enthusiasm from all as well as sportsmanship and fair play from all the pupils involved.”

Forest will be hosting ISFA’s Skills Festivals after being awarded ‘Junior Hub School’ status by the Association.

The programme is a partnership between the Association and 10 to 15 primary schools and aims to enhance football provision available to boys and girls under the age of 11. The partnership also aims to promote small-sided games.

Four-a-side matches result in 500% more goals scored compared to five-a-side matches, they result in double the number of passes attempted and games are likely to have more one-on-one encounters.