TWO companies are giving back to the community by sponsoring Westleigh School with brand new kits for their rugby and football teams.

Headteacher, Mr Bramwell, welcomes the generous support. He says, “The new kits complement the updated school uniform we launched in 2018. Looking smart gives our students a sense of pride and shows the community that The Westleigh School is ambitious in its drive to raise standards.” The school became part of the Shaw Education Trust in 2018 and the new kits are just one of the ways the school is nurturing students’ aspirations.

Toby Williamson, a partner at Manchester based QED Legal who sponsor the rugby kit, is passionate about grassroots sports, especially rugby.

He said: “It was a positive influence on my life as a young person growing up. Through my company I’m now fortunate enough to be in a position to help the students at Westleigh have the same experience.”

His company offers their support to a number of teams around the country but Mr Williamson admits to a particular interest in helping The Westleigh School having been raised in the area himself. He believes the new kits will inspire students, adding: “Young people are used to seeing their sporting heroes wearing sponsor logos so it makes them feel special. If you look like a team, you feel like a team and play like a team.”

Dale Pollitt, former Westleigh pupil and Director at Bolton based accountants Ryans, wants students to take part in more football and sports in general and was keen to support the school’s ambitions. He says, “As a former pupil, it’s fantastic to be able to contribute something back to a school which played a big part in both my personal and academic development. My hope is that the students will aspire to achieve their goals in both sport and career alike”.

The teams’ new look on the pitch has clearly helped the youngest stars at The Westleigh School, as both Year 7 and Year 8 football teams won their first games in their newly sponsored kits.