Professional Footballer Returns to St.Francis School

Young Reading footballer Jake Taylor went back to his old Ascot school to help the pupils kick off their world cup themed lessons, timed to coincide with the tournament’s start in South Africa.
He spent a day at St Francis Catholic Primary School, Coronation Road, South Ascot where the school is involved in a variety of exciting learning opportunities based on the World Cup which aim to develop global citizenship among the pupils. As part of their work, the school has signed up to the “One Goal Send My Friend to School” campaign and the pupils will be designing and making a huge scarf to send to the Prime Minister to encourage him to support the policy that aims to ensure a primary school education for every child in the world by 2015.  

Jake, who grew up in Ascot, is a midfielder with Reading FC. He has risen rapidly through the Club’s Academy and was awarded a first team squad number in December 2009. A Welsh under -21international he has impressed in a forward role for both youth and reserve teams at Reading, scoring some important goals including an extra time winner in the Royals FA Youth Cup win over Cheltenham Town. He has also progressed though the international youth ranks, winning caps at under 17 and under 19 level before earning a place in the Welsh under 21s.

Jake said;” I was delighted to be asked back to my old primary school. It was where I began to dream of being a professional sportsman and I am delighted to be able to kick off their World Cup project.”

Headteacher Jane Gow said;” It was really nice to see one of our former pupils who has been able to fulfil his dream of becoming a professional sportsman, and  the pupils were delighted that he was able to take the time to meet them. It was also a great pleasure for many of our teachers who remember Jake well as a gifted sportsman who also worked hard at his lessons and we are all thrilled to see him doing so well in his chosen sport.”