YPI Scotland is delighted to introduce Gordon Cook Foundation as a Principal Funder of YPI in Aberdeen.
Established in 1974 to promote and develop Values Education in the British education systems, the Gordon Cook Foundation is focused on improving social and moral education, health education and projects likely to nurture character development and citizenship.
Bruce Pandrich, Chair of the Gordon Cook Foundation, said there were three significant reasons why the foundation decided to partner with The Wood Foundation’s investment YPI Scotland to support the education initiative in Aberdeen.
Personal experience
“One of our Trustees has experience of running YPI in his school and saw, firsthand, the positive transformative impact it can have on children and the local community.”
Location
“Secondly, the Gordon Cook Foundation originated in Aberdeen and, whilst it funds projects throughout the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, it strives to ensure a core of its funding supports initiatives in North East Scotland.”
Aligned objectives
“Finally, the YPI programme aligns closely with the objectives of the Gordon Cook Foundation. The Foundation’s overarching aim is the promotion of good citizenship in its widest terms, including aspects of moral, ethical and aesthetic education, youth work, cooperation between home and school, and coordinating work in school with leisure-time pursuits.”
The Gordon Cook Foundation is looking forward to attending YPI finals in Aberdeen schools and learning more about the programme which is active in almost 300 schools across all local authorities in Scotland. This academic year, YPI will engage a full year-group of students in 10 Aberdeen schools, helping them develop skills and confidence through a contextualised learning experience.
Christopher, S4 student from Aberdeen’s Lochside Academy, highlighted the impact of YPI. He said: “A lot of people want to make changes but do not have the opportunity or resources, but YPI will give us the tools to help with the causes we really care about.”
Matt Carle, Principal Teacher of Crew at St Machar Academy, which was one of the first schools to start delivering YPI when The Wood Foundation launched the programme in 2008, added: “Through YPI, our young people have gained a better insight to some of the social issues in their local community.
“Several of our learners have formed positive connections with charities that operate in our area and by engaging with these organisations, they have been able to share what they have learned with others.
“It has been evident from some of the presentations I have seen over the years that we have young people at St Machar who care passionately about helping those around them and it is wonderful that they are given that opportunity through YPI.”
