Two Spurs players found out why football sessions for children with additional needs were up for an award.

Spurs women’s winger and Australian international Hayley Raso and men's full-back Djed Spence dropped into a PE lesson at at Vale School, co-located with Duke’s Aldridge Academy next door to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The ‘Fair Play’ sessions offer a combination of psychotherapy, sport and art to improve the lives of vulnerable young people in Haringey.

The visit meant something special to Hayley, who revealed her brother Jordan has a disability.

“I think about my brother when I come down to a school like this,” she said. “I see children playing football and handball, doing things that make them happy — like my brother doing things that make him happy.”

Djed said: “It was nice to meet all the kids, play some games and see smiles on their faces. These sessions are important to give these children the best opportunity to learn.”

Year 8 pupil Atilla said: “It was a lot of fun today and the players coming in was so exciting. I scored four goals, so I really enjoyed it!”

Year 10 pupil Josh added: “I really enjoy the opportunity to play together as a team. It was a great experience to have the players join us.”

Vale School headteacher Dawn Woodcock said the sessions “look quite different” to mainstream PE.

She explained: “Formal lessons can be challenging for our children sometimes. So it’s important for learning done through playing games for their physical development.

“The coaches use their specialist skills to make PE enjoyable and for the children to let off steam in a different way.”

The sessions are part of a partnership with Open Door, deep:black and the NHS North Central London Integrated Care Board.

The project was a finalist in the Health Service Journal awards for “reducing inequalities” and improving education, but did not win.