Boys from Ellar Carr Pupil Referral Unit receive extra coaching (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Boys from Ellar Carr Pupil Referral Unit receive extra coaching

8:10am Monday 12th July 2010 in

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Four disaffected Bradford teenagers have been scouted to play chess for Yorkshire.

The boys were taught to play the board game by coach Charles Wood, managing director of the Renaissance Academy, a chess academy which helps children learn new skills and improve their behaviour.

Mr Wood visits Ellar Carr Pupil Referral Unit in Bradford once a week to play chess with pupils who have fallen out of mainstream schooling.

Danny Gallagher, 14, Lewis Knipton, 13, Jack Hastings, 13, and Tom Jackson, 14, from the unit have been selected for further coaching by John Fozard, of the Yorkshire Chess Association, with a view to them competing for Yorkshire.

Mr Fozard played against the boys during an unannounced visit to Ellar Carr. He said he had been surprised by their ability.

“They can consider themselves to be among the top 100 players in their age group,” said Mr Fozard.

e-mail: ben.barnett@telegraphandargus.co.uk