PHOTO GALLERY: Norwich City footballers Steve Morison and Ryan Bennett visit Costessey Junior School to launch learning scheme

Canary stars swapped Carrow Road for Costessey Junior School yesterday to help pupils learn through football.

The players were at the school for the launch of the Classroom Champions programme, sponsored by Aviva, and run by the Community Sports Foundation (CSF) charity.

The year five pupils learned about newspapers and wrote headlines, with the aid of Daily Express sports journalist Mick Dennis, for Steve Morison, which they then read out to him when he visited.

After class the pupils took to the school's pitch where the Canaries players coached two games.

Teacher Matt Copping said the children had impressed with their headline writing.

'One of the boys doesn't really take much interest, but he has really taken the lesson on board today,' he said.

In Norfolk, 12 schools have signed up to the Classroom Champions programme which aims to use the power of football to improve numeracy and literacy.

The children learn about the history of Norwich City, maths skills from adding up items in the club shop, and geography from looking at different stadiums.

CSF director Ian Thornton said: 'Learning through football is different but the principles are still the same. The subject is something that is attractive.'

Chris Elliott, senior sponsorship manager at Aviva, said: 'Using football as a focus for learning in schools is a great way to capture the imagination of pupils.

'Classes are based around every element of Norwich City Football Club, from its heritage to the shop and the shirts.

'We have been supporting educational schemes in the community for a number of years now as we believe they work to inspire pupils in an innovative way.'