Member Article

Caterpillar head backs school and Foundation partnership

Managing Director of Caterpillar Peterlee has given his backing to a partnership between Cotsford Junior School and SAFC charity Foundation of Light after attending a special assembly recently.

Phil Handley, a long-standing supporter of Foundation of Light, attended the assembly where youngsters received awards for personal and academic achievements throughout the school year.

Caterpillar was one of the first corporate supporters of Foundation of Light, funding a broad range of education, health and sport programmes across East Durham since 2001.

The Foundation’s partnership with Caterpillar includes an outreach centre based at the Caterpillar Peterlee site.

Foundation of Light has delivered a broad range of its programmes at Cotsford Junior School throughout the year including: Tackle It which helps youngsters deal with important issues such as bullying and self-esteem; Family Learning which brings parents and children together in learning and play; Samson’s Shoes which introduces youngsters to the principles of business; Learning Through Football which helps build enthusiasm for numeracy and literacy.

The Foundation has also provided sports coaching support with the school’s Year 5/6 boys’ football team winning a record haul of trophies becoming County Champions and representing Sunderland AFC in the Premier League School’s Tournament Final at White Hart Lane.

Speaking about the partnership Phil Handley comments: “It’s fantastic to see the achievements been made through the Foundation’s work with Cotsford Junior School. When we first partnered with Foundation of Light over a decade ago we wanted to make a positive difference to our local communities. Through attending events like this assembly, and meeting the youngsters that the Foundation has worked with, this positive difference is clearly evident.”

Speaking about the Foundation’s work at the school Head Teacher Miss Jones commented: “The Foundation have made a real difference to our school improving standards, pupil’s attendance and motivation, raising aspirations and getting parents involved in school life, which has a huge benefit for their children.”

“The Sunderland AFC logo has real power with both pupils and parents, helping engage them in programmes that do make a difference and we’re great advocates for the Foundation’s work.”

Sarah Howell, Foundation of Light Director of Community Operations added: “I’d like to congratulate all of the pupils at Cotsford Junior School on their achievements this year and thank Caterpillar and the Caterpillar Foundation for their continued support in East Durham.”

Foundation of Light’s broad range of programmes are available in Primary and Secondary schools across Sunderland, South Tyneside and County Durham.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by James Burman .