Shannon Purdy’s Derby County Community Trust journey began in 2020, joining our Education department as a university degree student, before starting a casual role in 2022 supporting pupils on our higher education, ETC and FTP programmes. Following this, she then progressed to a full-time role as a Teaching Assistant and ETC lead. Shannon subsequently joined the Schools and Coaching department in April 2024, beginning in the role of Community Coach.  

Initially, Shannon’s Community Coach role focused on providing PPA cover to schools, alongside coaching in our community coaching sessions, such as holiday camps and TIPs. Shannon noted: “Working within different environments and providing children with different opportunities is such a rewarding job – every day is different and seeing smiles on children’s faces is the best part about it’  

Shannon demonstrated a commitment to working with our participants, notably in partner schools, leading to her beginning a Level 3 Teaching Assistant and Level 4 Higher Level TA course in 2025, provided by the FA Education and School Sport Workforce Team as part of the Premier League Primary Stars programme.  

Schools Coaching Lead, Ed Garnett, recalled: “the course provided the next logical step for Shannon’s development, increasing her knowledge, skills and confidence to deliver as part of our Premier League Primary Stars programme.” 

Shannon embraced the course, quickly embedding her learning into her own delivery whilst widening her ability to deliver varying projects, including Premier League Primary Stars and Joy of moving. She is now more confident to support teachers to deliver high-quality PE, in addition to supporting pupils with targeted interventions such as Premier League Reading Stars, Matchday Maths and Resilient Rammie.  

Two years after she joined the department, Shannon was successful in applying to become a Lead Coach, highlighting her progression within her role. She is now the lead member of staff at the trust’s holiday camps and weekend club, in addition to continuing to showcase her coaching skills in seven partner schools per week.  

“Taking on the Lead coach role has enabled me to develop my knowledge in a range of different classroom-based PLPS activities- the opportunities that I have gained through working with the Trust have been incredible and I am very proud of the work that I do and that DCCT does within our local community providing opportunities for all. 

Ed Garnett concluded: “Shannon’s progression within her role has been great to see, and we know she will continue to provide excellent support to our schools and participants in her new role. She is confident to deliver both PE and targeted interventions and is a key part of our Premier League Primary Stars team.