A TEENAGER’S ideas on improving his school’s curriculum have so impressed teachers they have been incorporated into every day classes.

Accrington Academy principal Andrew O’Brien has congratulated Daniel Armstrong for finding ways to improve the PE department at his school.

And as reward for his work Daniel, 14, was chosen as the mascot for Manchester United with their clash against Blackburn Rovers.

Daniel, who plays as a goalkeeper for Burnley FC’s youth side, impressed the Youth Sport Trust with a questionnaire he designed for GCSE students.

The trust is running a PE Changing Teams initiative which supports schools and academies that have a sport’s specialism to encourage students to become leaders and learn though PE.

The year 10 pupil is carrying out research to improve PE at the Queen’s Road West school which includes working with students and teachers to review the curriculum to make the subject more enjoyable.

Daniel’s ideas included staff swapping groups in order to teach specialisms, a review of sports kit, putting volleyball on the curriculum, and exploring the option of having GCSE PE.

Daniel, who is studying for key stage four BTEC sports, said: “I was really excited to be chosen to be a mascot at Manchester United.

“I am a goalkeeper at Burnley FC currently and I love football and all sport. Wayne Rooney is my idol and it was so exciting to walk out with the team.”

Daniel said he hoped that his initiatives would make a difference to learning and playing sports at the academy.

He will be collecting and analysing data over the next few months then put a plan together to help improve PE for students in the academy, focusing mainly on key stage four pupils.

It is hoped the ideas for the school will be rolled out after the London 2012 Olympics.