Punch Taverns sign up to the Schools Alcohol Awareness Project

Punch Taverns have signed up as a key partner in the Schools Alcohol Awareness Project, a new education initiative which encourages young people to adopt responsible attitudes to alcohol.

As a business active in the licensed retail sector, Punch Taverns is delighted that the classroom materials distributed free to their nominated schools encourage young people to consider the dangers of alcohol misuse and the serious impact it can have on their life.

The Schools Alcohol Awareness Project is delivered in partnership with teachers but is not a government initiative.  Its success is due entirely to the support of BII members across the UK.  BII is the professional body for the licensed retail sector.  With over 15,000 members, it promotes high standards, good employment practice and social responsibility within the industry.

Cathie Smith, Director of BIIAB said, "We are very grateful to Punch Taverns for their support which allows us to help teachers in a practical way while also raising awareness of the difficult issues surrounding young people and alcohol."

Punch Taverns have nominated five Staffordshire secondary schools for the project: Abbot Beyne School, De Ferrers Specialist Technology College, Robert Sutton Catholic School, Paget High School and Paulet High School.  All the schools have expressed their gratitude for the teacher-friendly project materials which are carefully designed to save staff time rather than generate extra work.

Mr Smith, the Head Teacher of Paget High School was quick to thank the project sponsors while Christine Carr, who runs the Learning Resource Centre at Abbot Beyne School, said she was extremely grateful to Punch Taverns for their support on such an important topic. She confirmed the project materials are ideal for the schools new Learning for Life course for 14-16 year-old pupils.

Gill Wildman, of DeFerrers Specialist Technology College, also expressed her gratitude to Punch Taverns. and anticipated the new materials will prove very useful for the school's Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) programme.

Patrick Gaffney, Director of the Schools Project, added his own thanks to Punch Taverns saying, “We can only make a difference in schools if we gain the support of the wider community. I am delighted that Punch Taverns has decided to lead the way in this important initiative.”