Middlesbrough Football Club Foundation are delighted to announce a partnership with Tees Valley Community Foundation to tackle primary school attendance figures issues in the area.
The Roary’s Class Acts Primary School Attendance Programme, which already runs in Middlesbrough and is part funded by the Premier League, The Professional Footballers’ Association, and the Cleveland Centre is now set to provide support to an additional 16 schools across Tees Valley, engaging with up to 300 pupils per school and 5,000 children in total, across a 3 year period.
Tees Valley Community Foundation have pledged their support to the project, which uses the brand of Middlesbrough Football Club mascot ‘Roary the Lion’, as a motivational tool in spreading the message to youngsters that every school day matters.
Each school has been given a variety of promotion material to help motivate the students, including Boro stickers and certificates. The children are collectively rewarded for good attendance, which is displayed on the class wallchart.
Schools will also compete for exclusive prizes such as behind-the-scenes stadium tours of the Riverside, as well as match tickets to watch Middlesbrough play live.
Hugh McGouran, Chief Executive of Tees Valley Community Foundation, said: “Education is pivotal for children at primary school level, and that all starts with good attendance.
“Here at Tees Valley Community Foundation we are pleased to be partnering with MFC Foundation to help make a real difference within our local community, and ensure that more young people are given the best platform to succeed as they grow.
“Having worked with the Foundation in the past, we have seen first-hand the difference they have made in schools across the Tees Valley area, and we are proud to be working with them towards a better future.”
Helena Bowman, Head of MFC Foundation, added: “We’re delighted to be teaming up with Tees Valley Community Foundation to address the important matter of attendance in primary schools across the Tees Valley.
“We believe the Roary’s Class Acts programme will have a huge benefit to those who struggle with their attendance. We have worked closely with Tees Valley Community Foundation in the past, and we are looking forward to building upon our fantastic partnership.”
If you work at a school in the Tees Valley and are interested in getting involved, please contact project officer Alex Dore alex.dore@mfcfoundation.co.uk or call 01642 282128