Our school governors get a Big Tick
27 Jun 2014
University initiative honoured with Business in the Community award
The University of Manchester’s School Governor Initiative (UMSGI) has been awarded a Business in the Community Big Tick award.
The award, in the education category, was presented at a prestigious award ceremony at Aintree Racecourse.
UMSGI aims to improve leadership in state schools by encouraging staff and alumni to become school governors, which develops their skills whilst contributing to the development of the school and building stronger relationships. It is a signature programme within the Social Responsibility strategy at the University as we work to better support the community.
As well as this recognition, the University is one of just 18 organisations that have been shortlisted to present their programme to a select group of senior business peers with a chance to be named overall winner in the Education category.
The Big Tick is the first level of accolade in the Responsible Business Awards, the UK’s longest-running and most respected awards scheme recognising businesses that are making a positive difference to society and to the environment.
Stephanie Lee, Head of Widening Participation and Outreach, said: “We are delighted to receive the BITC Big Tick Award and receive such recognition for The University’s School Governor Initiative.
“We have achieved the largest and fastest growth in governors in the UK and have already surpassed our target to double the number of staff volunteering as governors. We currently have around 250 staff and alumni in our School Governor Network.
“We have received extremely positive feedback from senior Council Leaders, Head Teachers and Chairs of boards of governors about the impact having someone from The University of Manchester has had on their school or college. We also know from staff who are governors that this role has had a positive impact on their own skills development.
“The University is now taking a lead on supporting other universities who are thinking about setting up a similar initiative and we are delighted to be able to make a sector-wide contribution.”
Commenting on the event Raksha Pattni, Area Director for Business in the Community, said: “Throughout the year responsible businesses across the North West and beyond are contributing towards building more resilient communities, stimulating local economies, creating diverse, skilled and healthy workforces and addressing skills shortages – yet these activities rarely get attention. These Awards shine a much-needed spotlight on the powerful impact of business. Each of the companies recognised are playing their part to build a new contract between business and society and a more sustainable future for us all. I congratulate and thank all of the companies we are recognising across the North West.”
The University will find out if it has won the overall national category at Business in the Community’s National Gala Dinner on 8 July in London.