A SCHOOL has named itself after a Premier League footballer for the day.

Springfield Academy in The Education Village in Darlington became George Friend Primary for the day, after the Middlesbrough player visited the school to take part in a PE class with Year Five pupils.

The full back took part in a football skills class with 31 of the school's pupils, before going on a tour of the facilities at The Education Village.

The Boro defender’s visit was part of the Premier League Primary Stars programme, which aims to use football to help children with their learning, including English and maths.

The programme is being supported by MFC Foundation, the charity arm of Middlesbrough Football Club.

The Boro defender said: “When I grew up there were no big football teams in the area, but in the North East, the area thrives on football and to have clubs and the Premier League backing an initiative like this is a real plus.

“Darlington is an area I don’t go to quite as much, apart from the training ground, so it is nice to do something in this area."

Angela Henderson, principle at Springfield Academy, said: “All staff and pupils were really excited to have a Premier League footballer come to our school.

“We have done a lot of work with MFC Foundation which has really helped with the ethos of learning and working hard.

Alan Cawthorne, primary stars coordinator at MFC Foundation, said: “This is the first school in Darlington we have visited, and more than 7,000 schools across the country have already signed up for the scheme.”