Making contact with schools
A ‘cold call’ email or letter offering to go along and talk to pupils is unlikely to succeed. However, schools are not only keen to develop contact with local businesses, but they have a requirement to do so within the Enterprise Curriculum that they must now all engage with.
Schools also need to find work-related topics to incorporate into GCSE and Scottish Standard Grade teaching. In addition to these exam-related requirements, they like to incorporate external activities throughout school life – and they are required to provide a careers advisory service to their students.
The local Education Business Partnership (EBP) has a specific remit to develop links between schools and colleges, and local businesses and industry. Working through the EBP is likely the most effective way for you to develop a relationship with a school/college. You can find your local EBP in England, Northern Ireland and Wales on www.nebpn.org and in Scotland on www.ebp.org.
In addition, Science Engineering and Technology (SET) points also provide a linkage between businesses and schools. Your nearest can be located through www.setnet.org.uk.
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