Purpose:

In early 2015, Racing to School, in partnership with Aintree Racecourse and Equestrian Centre and kindly funded by The Racing Foundation, began a unique pilot scheme called the ‘Aintree Beacon’ programme. The pilot engaged 10 local primary schools and one secondary school to plan and deliver a series of educational activities that used the context of racing and the facilities of the racecourse and the equestrian centre. The programme was designed to offer a fresh learning activity to pupils from Year 5 through to Year 13. The long-term aim was that pupils in Year 5 would have annual engagement with the programme throughout their school life, to not only generate interest and knowledge in racing but also to creating pathways to employment in racing for those wishing to pursue careers in the sport.