Stepping Up

MFC Foundation are the pioneers of the Stepping Up Transition project.

Starting in May 2016 after consultations with schools and local authorities, it was recognised that the gap from primary to secondary school was too big for some vulnerable young people.

The project initially started with three secondary schools and 12 primary schools; it has now grown to four secondary schools and 28 primary schools (three of the four secondary schools have remained, with one new secondary school being added with an expansion in to East Cleveland).

Four full time staff are all assigned to a secondary school, and a cluster of their associated feeder primaries. Their delivery timetables are split in half across the year. From February through to July, staff work within the primary school setting, getting to know young people in year six and preparing them for their step up. In September, staff actually transition to the secondary school with them and stay with them in their new educational environment until February (the cycle then begins again with a new cohort of young people).

To supplement their school delivery, staff also deliver Premier League Kicks three evenings a week in their local communities, signposting young people from schools to the sessions. This provides wraparound care and allows more consistent and regular access to a role model for the young people to look up to.

With the recent COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent closure of schools, staff have created a menu of support for young people to access to aid them with their transition to secondary school. This year in particular is going to be especially challenging, so the importance of having a ready-made mentor is going to be even more beneficial. This support can be tailored to the individual, or used as a whole by schools. Our valued partner schools will all receive these transition packs and resources.

For further information, please contact steven.bell@mfcfoundation.co.uk


History In The Making

History could be created when Middlesbrough FC Women take on Chorley on Sunday 24 March.

“We believe it is the first time at any club where the men’s and women’s team have had a Foundation game in the same season.” says Head of Foundation Lynsey Edwards.

“We’re very proud of that and thank everyone who has made this happen. Being able to collaborate with the club and sponsors across both the men and women’s teams really shows their support for the Foundation as well as our joint commitment to equality”

The game, at Stockton FC’s MAP ground, will see Middlesbrough FC Women wearing the Middlesbrough FC Foundation logo on their shirts in a replica of the men’s game against Rotherham in January.

Regular front of shirt sponsors Durata have donated their space for this match. The Foundation’s Business Development Manager Paul Shepherd says: “A massive thank you to Durata for doing this. Durata share a lot of our values and we work closely with them on other events.

“This is a massive opportunity for us to further showcase the work of the Foundation and demonstrate how we work together with the communities of the Tees Valley.”

Representatives of many of the Foundation’s programmes will be on hand to answer any questions, while in the lead-up to the 2pm kick-off, the Foundation will replicate their role on a men’s matchday by organising flag waving, player walkout with a young person and a match mascot.

With 40% of the Foundation’s participants being women and girls, this is a great opportunity to make that number bigger. We do, though, look forward to welcoming an inclusive, diverse crowd for the penultimate home game in what has been a terrific season for the Middlesbrough FC Women’s team.

Tickets cost £5 for adults and under 16’s enter for free, all tickets are available on entry at the venue.