Star-studded trip to Sunderland for Baysgarth teacher and pupils

Thanks to Baysgarth school Year 11 student Sophie Elizabeth Bartup for these words and Patrick Sprakes, Head of IT at Baysgarth, for the images in this report.

......................................................................

Trip to Sunderland

I had been asked if I would like to go to Sunderland with two other pupils from Baysgarth, by Mr Sprakes. When he told me I would get the chance to meet Darren Bent, a Premiership and England striker, I was very excited. Mr Sprakes was going to Sunderland for an expert master class on finishing by the Sunderland striker at the Academy of Light. Mr O'Mara, who plays for Baysgarth Old Boys, along with Mr Sprakes, had entered a competition with Lucozade for his team mate.

Outside the Stadium of Light, home of the Premiership football club Sunderland.

We arrived in Sunderland with time to spare, so we decided to visit the Stadium of Light, making the best out of our trip. We took some photographs and had a quick look inside. Then we headed to the Academy of Light. By this time, we could tell Mr Sprakes was getting nervous, after all he was going to be training with a Premiership striker.

We arrived at the Academy and waited in the conference room, Mr Sprakes feeling the nerves. When the time came, all the strikers from the competition went to get ready. We got the cameras ready to take photographs to show Mr O'Mara and then headed to the training pitches to watch our teacher and a Premiership striker.

As the action began, Darren Bent coached the strikers on finishing technique; all the players got to show what they were made of when coming one on one with England under 18 and 16 keepers; Mr Sprakes scored some top class strikes, which I'm sure even Bent would be proud of. When the master class finished, we asked Darren if he could sign the Baysgarth Old Boys shirt with the message 'To all at Baysgarth School'. Bent kindly spent time with us for pictures and signed his message to Baysgarth School.

Sophie and friends from Baysgarth with Sunderland and England striker, Darren Bent.

I enjoyed my day in Sunderland and visiting the Stadium and Academy was a great experience.

Sophie Elizabeth Bartup

Year 11

Baysgarth School