Racing to School is delighted to have renewed its partnership with the Gerald Leigh Charitable Trust in a two-year collaboration that will see the charity and Trust continue to offer its unique learning experience, free of financial barriers to entry for young people in hard-to-reach areas. The partnership, now in its third year, worked with over 600 young people from rural, inner city and deprived areas in 2023.
The aim of the Gerald Leigh Racing to School Education Programme is to reach young people in targeted diverse, deprived, disadvantaged areas, supporting them to apply and develop their school learning based on the impetus from their unique Racing to School experience. The distinctive programme of events within the charity's free to user Schools' Education Programme, beginning in September 2024, will support the learning of young people across Great Britain with educational days out at horseracing's venues.
John Blake, Chief Executive of Racing to School said: “The charity is committed to working with, and connecting the benefits of racing with young people who might have previously been off the radar in terms of our core work. Developing this special partnership with the Gerald Leigh Charitable Trust has helped widen our scope to support new beneficiaries, and the racing industry. We are already working alongside the Trust to explore opportunities with other partners with similar objectives, which is very exciting.”
Pupils will first take part in activities at a local racecourse for a fun and memorable day of curriculum-supported learning. For the majority, these days will provide a first opportunity to experience the excitement of horseracing. Schools will then be offered a bespoke follow-up education day back in the classroom which will cement the learning gained during their racecourse activity day and also offer pupils an in-depth insight into the wide variety of career opportunities which the horse racing and breeding industry has to offer.
In recognition of the marked increase in costs surrounding transport and staff, the Trustees of the Gerald Leigh Charitable Trust have again provided additional funding to ease the pressure from school budgets and parent/carer contributions. This additional financial support, which is outside the scope of Racing to School's mainstream programme, will remove any barriers and boost the resilience of the schools and young people most in need of this additional support.
Sarah Whitney, Executive Administrator for the Gerald Leigh Charitable Trust said: “We are delighted to be continuing to support Racing to School with this exciting project which we have extended this year and broadened its scope to hopefully create a greater impact. We really hope that these enhanced initiatives will remove barriers and create new opportunities which will make a positive difference to many young people's lives. We further hope that the project may perhaps be the first step for a new pool of talent towards a potential career path within the British Horseracing and Breeding Industry.”
Racing to School is committed in its mission to inspire young minds through its free-to-use, accessible education programmes, to schools, colleges and youth groups throughout Great Britain. Last year, 29% of the charity's beneficiaries were based at schools in inner city, deprived or rurally isolated locations.
Through this work in the UK's most deprived areas, the Gerald Leigh Racing to School Education Programme will reach those young people who need most support, and who will benefit from the chance to learn in green spaces outside of the classroom, by taking part in activities that help with promoting their health, well-being and self-esteem.
This unique programme would not be possible without the support of the Gerald Leigh Charitable Trust, and the value they place on the work that is undertaken every day by the Racing to School team.
If you would like to find out more about the Racing to School Gerald Leigh Education Programme, or any of the charity's other educational programmes, contact jen@racingtoschool.co.uk or florence@racingtoschool.co.uk
