The Rams’ Magnificent Seven Project is designed to give Year 7 pupils a boost in the early days of an unfamiliar environment, and the adoption process will last for the entire school year. Celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, Bemrose is a school with a proud history that has faced new challenges in recent years, including special measures. Bemrose is rebuilding its reputation after some difficult years and the club sees this as an opportunity to help the regeneration process.
Around 180 new starters will walk through the gates at Bemrose in September and we want them to know from day one that they are joining a school that has strong links with Derby County Football Club. We are keen that Rams players should be seen as role models by local youngsters and it’s only by getting out into the community that we can reinforce this message.
This is a pilot project for us and hopefully something we can take on elsewhere once we have measured the impact on pupils at Bemrose. The club’s commitment to the project will include sending the manager and players to meet the entire year group in the early weeks of the September term and also inviting all Bemrose Year 7 pupils to a first team home game at Pride Park Stadium.
Pupils will be invited to join the Young Rams club and players will help to promote school initiatives throughout the year, including Bemrose’s Big Read Week in October.