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Football helps break down barriers and boost pupils' school attendance
Sunderland Echo
|September 29, 2025
Secretary of State for Education Bridget Phillipson has praised the work of Sunderland AFC's official charity the Foundation of Light after seeing how engaging youngsters through football has seen 70% of participating pupils improve their attendance at school.
Secretary of State for Education Bridget Phillipson and Foundation of Light Chief Executive Lesley Spuhler at Sandhill View Academy.
The Foundation's Premier League Inspires programme looks to use the power of football and the city's football club to boost school attendance as well as improving behaviour and young people's confidence.
And the programme certainly seems to be having the desired affect with 70% of this year's participants improving their attendance through mentoring sessions.
More than 850 pupils have taken part in the project, the highest number to complete the programme across the region.
This story is from the September 29, 2025 edition of Sunderland Echo.
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