WEARING football shirts in class would be frowned upon in most schools.

But for a group of soccer-mad youngsters at Shoeburyness High School, it forms part of their uniform for one day a week.

The school, with the help of Southend United, has developed a unique football-based project which has been improving both the behaviour and the grades of pupils.

They have upped their game on the pitch too.

The Double Club, which is run in association with the Blues, has been getting kids who have been struggling at school to learn through football.

The project involves 45 boys from Years 7, 8 and 9, who for one day a week are allowed to wear their Blues football kit and club tracksuit to school.

They are taught numeracy and literacy in the mornings, and in the afternoons are taken out on the pitch to train and play.

Deputy head Mark Schofield said: “It’s really motivating for the kids.

“They don’t think they’re doing maths or English, they think they’re doing football.

“These are students who we think will benefit from a more motivational programme. Per-haps they might have problems in some academic areas, at home or with attendance.

“They have to be interested in football, but not necessarily be fantastic players. We use this to re-engage them with education.

“It’s improved their learning, their attendance and their attitude to work. Their maths and English teachers say they have come on in leaps and bounds.”

Now in its second year, the results have been so positive that the school is trying to extend the scheme to older age groups and adapt the idea to make it more appealing to.

Pupils sign contracts before joining the club, write match reports on games to improve their English and have to work out players’ wages to get their maths up to scratch.

They often get visits from Shrimpers players, who speak to them about motivation, teamwork and improving performances. The youngsters have a chance to interview them afterwards and write it up.

A “man of the match” trophy is given every week to the boy who scores the most points in class for good work and supporting other pupils. But for those who don’t do well, there is the threat of the dreaded yellow card.

Headteacher Sue Murphy is delighted by how well the scheme has worked so far.

She said: “The whole thing is built around keeping kids engaged.

“It’s a way of bringing maths and English to life.

“Just like long ago, kids learned about maths working down the market with their dads.”

Last Thursday morning, 15 Year 8 boys were busy finding information from the Southend-Leyton Orient match programme for a subtraction game.

The class was buzzing with excitement and enthusiasm as the pupils got stuck into their tasks with help from teacher Kirsty England and support teacher and FA-qualified coach Rachel O’Brien.

Ms England said: “I’ve notice a real improvement in the kids, in their behaviour and also their literacy and numeracy.

“Even their parents say their behaviour has got much better around the home.

“Before, they were more challenging to teach. They were bright kids but disengaged from lessons.

“I see how they’re getting on in other lessons too and I’m here all the time for them to chat to.

“The club doesn’t just finish on that day.”

Mr Schofield added: “The club have been really supportive.

“This shows a commitment to the community not just through sport but learning as well.”