"We're really happy to be associated with the 'Educated Pass' programme. As professional footballers we must take a level of social responsibility. This project aims to do that and as a result boys in the Edinburgh and Lothian's area are sure to benefit."
Christophe Berra and Robbie Neilson

The Heart of Midlothian Education and Community Trust is delighted to be supporting the Educated Pass Initiative.

The opportunity to visit Tynecastle stadium and utilise the excellent conference facilities which Heart of Midlothian FC kindly provide, help further increase the credibility of education in the minds of the youth footballers involved in Educated Pass.

It is increasingly recognised that football plays an important social and educational role; as an effective channel for promoting social inclusion, and as an excellent instrument for bringing socially vulnerable youngsters back on track. With the support of Hearts FC, Educated Pass uses this previously untapped potential to increase the academic aspirations and achievements of youth footballers in the Edinburgh and Lothians region.

The stadium based Educated Pass sessions provide a positive and novel experience which further strengthen the impact of the initiative. During these sessions, individuals from the professional game are identified and highlighted as role models based on their academic and footballing success.

The session is delivered in a fun, interactive quiz format. While the stadium venue allows the boys to discuss the important issue of their education, in a location more typically considered as the home of their sporting heroes. All of which help challenge the cultural perception that a footballers brains are in his boots..!!

Educated Pass is lead by the University of Edinburgh in partnership with the SYFA, Stevenson College, Telford College and West Lothian College.

Now in its second full season of operation, the initiative has engaged 9 clubs, 21 teams and over 300 boys from the Edinburgh and Lothians region. A series of 7 sessions are delivered to each team at various locations throughout the season, all with a specific football and education message. The stadium based session is the final session of the season and is a memorable highlight for the teams involved.

Educated Pass fully appreciates the valuable support provided by Hearts FC and looks forward to continuing to deliver an important educational message in the fantastic Tynecastle stadium setting.

For further details, contactJoe Meloy at:

Widening Participation Officer
Football and Education Initiative
University of Edinburgh
57 George Square
Edinburgh
EH8 9JU
Telephone: 0131 650 9946
E-mail:  Joe.Meloy@ed.ac.uk
Website: www.sra.ed.ac.uk/educatedpass