Leeds United stars Barry Douglas and Eddie Nketiah surprised a class of students at Hugh Gaitskell Primary on Tuesday afternoon as the children took part in a Kick It Out workshop.

The duo were on hand at the local school to lend support to representatives from Kick It Out as they delivered a session around inclusivity and diversity, helping the children to understand different forms of discrimination and the best ways of dealing with any problems surrounding the topic. After being introduced to the classroom, the first-team players spent time meeting and chatting with the children, finding out what they had learned during the workshop before taking part in a Q and A.

Coaches from the Leeds United Foundation, who work with the school every week as part of an after school football academy, were also in attendance to help with the delivery of the session, encouraging the youngsters during their group discussions and the interactive games. 

Barry Douglas spoke to LUTV during the visit and said: "The workshop they've been doing with Kick It Out today is not just about football, it's everyday life and talking about how we should treat each other, so it's brilliant for the kids to be a part of.

"Sessions like this and teaching them from such a young age is how it’s going to change in time and the kids totally embraced it and grasped what was being said to them - it was great for them to get that education."

England Under-21 international, Eddie Nketiah, added: "It's great for me and Barry to come down and give our opinions on the topic, just showing our face and helping to lighten the mood for the children, it’s been a great day.

"No one wants to see discrimination in the game and I think it's important we take strong stands against it. I think things like the workshop today are great, socialising with the local community and helping to get across that message in a way that the kids will enjoy and understand."

Hugh Gaitskell Primary are just minutes from Elland Road and one of the largest primary schools in Leeds, with over 600 children registered. The school is well known for its diversity, with over 48 languages being spoken among the young students - the school motto is 'One World, One School' which really supports the message Kick It Out are trying to spread.

Mrs McNulty, Headteacher at Hugh Gaitskell Primary, said: "We're a diverse school and very unique within the city with representation from almost every country in the world. We want to celebrate our diversity and it's important for us to teach the students about tolerance and respect throughout the school.

"We've had Leeds United players in today and it's been important for the children to see that Leeds United are supporting the Kick It Out campaign, it really makes what we're teaching them in school come to life."

For more information on Kick It Out and the work they are doing to help kick racism and discrimination out of football, please click here.

If you would like to know more about the work being delivered by the Leeds United Foundation in primary schools across the city, please contact Mathew.Everett@leedsunited.com.