Manchester Business School partners with local schools to boost student success
01 Apr 2015
Manchester Business School (MBS) has partnered with Whalley Range and Levenshulme High Schools to boost pupils’ employability and support their development by giving them an early insight into the world of business
The three-year partnership, through Business in the Community, will see MBS working with students, parents and teachers from both schools under the ‘Business Class’ initiative. MBS staff will help students to understand what career opportunities are available, and the qualifications and expertise needed to access them.
MBS already works with a number of schools in and around Greater Manchester through widening participation initiatives, as part of its ongoing commitment to supporting the local community. This three-year partnership, with Whalley Range and Levenshulme, builds on this experience by taking a more strategic approach, supporting objectives identified by the Schools’ leadership team.
The partnership recently launched with an event bringing together senior staff, students and their parents, alongside MBS’ experts to scope and agree what the three-year project will cover.
Patsy Kane, Executive Head, commented: “We strongly believe in developing the skills of our pupils to inspire them to become the leaders of the future. Our ambitious principles align very well with the offering that MBS provides and we look forward to strengthening our relationship as the programme develops.”
Activity already underway includes a mentoring programme, with MBS staff partnering with pupils to offer support and advice, career talks and marketing and communications workshops.
Professor Fiona Devine, Director of Manchester Business School, said: “In our 50th anniversary year we are delighted to be working so closely with Whalley Range and Levenshulme High Schools. It’s a real pleasure to work with such a vibrant and ambitious group of pupils, helping them to enhance their existing abilities as well as developing new skills to help them get onto the career ladder.”
Dr Julian Skyrme, Director of Social Responsibility, said: “I am delighted Manchester Business School, along with the University’s widening participation team, are taking the lead in partnering with two local secondary schools under the Business Class scheme. There are an exciting range of programmes and events planned over the next three years. These will support aspirations of pupils and the leaders in both schools and create mutually-beneficial links between MBS and the local community."