£2.7 million initiative to benefit Hartlepool childrenA North East town is set to benefit from “game-changing” education funding. Hartlepool’s children are set to benefit from a £2.7 million investment designed to raise aspirations, improve attainment and break down barriers for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. The John Armitage Charitable Trust (JACT) is funding the initiative, bringing together three leading education charities – IntoUniversity, SHINE and the Tutor Trust – under one coordinated programme. Officials say the funding will create a new IntoUniversity learning centre in Hartlepool town centre, supporting 7-18-year-olds with after-school academic support, mentoring, in-school workshops and enrichment opportunities, staffed by four full-time employees. “We are a proudly northern charity, and it is incredibly exciting to be expanding our work into Hartlepool.