Last year, Score Group plc joined an innovative partnership alongside Peterhead Academy and two local north-east football clubs to encourage local pupils to reach their education goals.

This week the PeterDeen project was recognised at national level, winning the SPFL (Scottish Professional Football League) Trust’s Community Project of the Year Award at yesterday’s SPFL Trust Conference in Hampden.

Two participating pupils from Peterhead Academy presented to the conference on the success of the project and upon winning, collected the award in front of representatives from SPFL clubs, the Scottish Government, the SPFL and the Scottish FA.

This alternative school curriculum combines core subjects like English and Maths, with life and work skills, alongside football coaching sessions, for pupils who struggled with traditional curriculums. Since starting in August, the programme has seen a 50% increase in school attendance rates among the 18 third-year pupils participating.

Conrad Ritchie, Managing Director of Score International Limited, said: “We are very pleased with the positive progress within the PeterDeen programme.  Well done to the pupils involved and their achievements so far. We are delighted to be involved in this project and are confident that the programme will continue to go from strength to strength.”

The commitment from those involved, including Score Group, Aberdeen FC’s Community Trust and Peterhead Football Club has been praised by Aberdeenshire Council’s local Councillors.

Councillor Gillian Owen, Chair of Aberdeenshire Council’s Education and Children’s Services Committee commented: “We are so proud of the young people who are clearly gaining so much from this scholarship programme. All partners should be extremely proud of their contributions too – it demonstrates just how much of a difference partnership working can make for the benefit of our local community.”

Pupils and Representatives of the PeterDeen Project