SCHOOLCHILDREN across York are set to be taught about the Mystery Plays after organisers received a major funding boost.

Three separate organisations have donated a total of £18,000 to help York Theatre Royal, York Museums Trust and Riding Lights Theatre Company as they prepare to stage the outdoor production in the Museum Gardens in August.

York St John University has pledged a total of £11,000, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation has donated £5,000 and MooD International has pledged another £2,000.

Of the university’s donation, £5,000 is being used to pay for York Mystery Plays education packs, which have been sent to every primary and secondary school in the city.

The packs contain different workshops and activities to encourage schools to engage with the plays, with activities split into different sections, such as history, art and drama.

Liz Wilson, chief executive of York Theatre Royal, thanking the donors, said the money would be used to help create a “truly spectacular and memorable piece of outdoor theatre”.

Siona Mackelworth, of the university, said it had a strong track record in community performing arts and had enjoyed a long history of collaboration with the Mystery Plays.

“We are actively engaged with schools in lots of different ways and it is fantastic to be able to widen our involvement through the support of educational work of the Mystery Plays.”

Julia Lewis, of the Rowntree Foundation, said the plays were an important part of cultural life in York and the foundation was pleased to have been able to support the project this year.

Dr Dick Whittington, chief strategy officer for MooD, whose software is currently helping to make business decisions in places as far apart as Manila and Newcastle, said it had always been a York-based company employing local people and with strong local links, particularly with the university.

He said: “We are especially proud to be involved with York Mystery Plays 2012, and look forward to a lively and colourful celebration of local talent.”