Education minister Bill Rammell was 'honoured' to receive his shirt

It is their first opportunity to put into practice what they have learned on a summer school at the football club designed to improve their literacy and computer skills.

Chloe Shields is a full-time professional player with West Ham Ladies, and Tony Cesay is an England international boxer.

They are questioned on their sporting successes and failures, and their outside interests - the usual line of questioning perhaps, but with the directness characteristic of children.

Pupils on this week-long course will create their own magazine about West Ham, using their research and interviews.

Chloe Shields said she was impressed by their attitude and was able to pass on some ideas.

"Some of these kids are young enough to be able to take the path I did if that's what they want.

"They have to keep motivated and keep working at things."

West Ham is doing a lot to assist learning in the community, she added.

'Less scared'

Joanne, 13, seems to have thrived in an environment where she has had more attention than in school.

"Sometimes I get a bit scared to ask for help at school in case people laugh," she said.

"I've had a lot more time to focus on things here and I don't worry about getting things wrong.

"I might be less scared to ask for help once I'm back at school."

She has picked up skills she can easily transfer to her academic work.

Students spend a week working towards making their own magazine

"I wouldn't say I was very confident with computers, though I'm OK at typing.

"I've now learned how to use different types of software, for example for creating pictures - I didn't know how to use any before."

West Ham's Learning Zone, where the course is held, provides a space for pupils from Newham's schools to work on their computer skills, reading and writing.

It is staffed by qualified teachers and learning mentors.

It provides summer schools out of term, but during term time local schools nominate children who could take advantage of the centre's facilities for a 10-week course.

Newham Council encourages children to take part in up to three summer courses during the holidays.

The West Ham project is part of the government's Playing for Success initiative, which seeks to link sport and learning.

Education minister Bill Rammell looked delighted with his personalised West Ham shirt, which the students produced.

He said sport and other activities could provide a spark which stimulates learning.

"It's about using the passion children have for sport to get them into learning - reading and writing and using ICT.

"The clear evidence from local authorities is that these courses do work - and lead to longer-term sustainable progression in performance.

"We've seen the benefits across the board - not just with specific groups of children."

The government wants to extend learning beyond school hours through such after-school projects, and plans to create "extended schools" across England.

Better than school?

Students at West Ham say the project has been a fun way to learn, and tutors on the course say they are pleased with the response from the participants.

But do such fun summer schools only serve to deepen some pupils' impression that normal school is dull?

Not according to Mr Rammell.

"Once someone develops an interest in reading they will go forward with it. What you need to find is the key.

"Whatever it is, be it football or something else, young people will go on and continue to be interested."

For 12-year-old Elyas visiting the team changing rooms was a particular highlight of the week.

"School is a little bit boring," he said.

Some of the students appeared to be nervous before their interviews

"There's nothing wrong with school but this is more fun.

"I've learned a lot about computers, but also about football. I do think you get more skills from school though." Elyas proudly displays his front cover of his magazine and the techniques he used to design it.

"I chose this course because I thought it would be interesting to make a magazine and it would teach me a lot - plus you get to look around the club and meet the players."