Statement of Intent
The new leadership team at Landau Forte Academy Tamworth Sixth Form and Stoke and Staffordshire’s Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) have been working closely together on developing and further enhancing the Sixth Form’s students’ enterprise and employability skills in a number of very effective ways.
It is our aim that students leave the Academy with entrepreneurial skills, a strong business acumen and the attributes required to succeed in a commercial setting. Our work with the LEP forms part of a suite of support, along with non-qualification activity (NQA) and quality careers guidance, in preparing students for the future, whatever their aspirations.
Partnership with Paul Williams
We work in partnership with Paul Williams (Locality Project Officer, LEP) in designing opportunities for our students to engage with the world of work. Mr. Williams also sits on our Local Governing Body, along with experienced employers, Simon Rowley (Toyota) and Graham Hakes (Busy Bees Nurseries) and is able to challenge the organisation on its plans to improve learners’ employability. Paul Williams is also based in the Sixth Form building when he is leading work in South Staffordshire, and is always on hand during these times to offer additional consultation. Paul Williams said: “Landau Forte Sixth Form has shown a huge commitment and passion for developing the enterprise and employability skills of its students, in order to enhance their opportunities; access quality Careers Education and make successful and sustainable progression into the world of work. The Academy has overseen effective and impactful changes to policies and procedures, bringing a fresh, innovative approach to employer engagement and Academy-employer partnerships”.
Mr. Williams has helped broker deals with local, national and international corporations, which include:
- MITIE Have been running workshops with students on water preservation; leading competitive business projects; addressing students in Gatherings about the skills required to be a highly successful employee.
- TNT Offering exclusive places for students on their Summer Academy Programme; supporting students who are preparing for apprenticeships; offering work experience places.
- Euro Car Parts Supporting students’ CV writing, leading mock employment interviews, offering work experience places and work shadowing opportunities, hosting visits to the workplace.
- Barclays Offering employee skills meetings.
- Jump Xtreme Offered exclusive recruitment days, where they employed Sixth Form students.
- Wagstaff Recruitment (Ruth Forster, Owner, and Chair of South Staffs Employment Skills Board)
Our reputation for excellence in working alongside the LEP has led to a number of other educational providers visiting the Sixth Form for advice and support with resources to enhance employer engagement in their own settings.
As a result of the actions taken and the impact of our work with the LEP, notably Paul Williams and his contacts, Ofsted stated:
- Managers have undertaken significant development work to both formalise a strategic relationship with the Stoke and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and to strengthen links with local employers with a view to expanding the number of work experience placements available for students.
Other Work on Employer Engagement
Tamworth Sixth Form, was invited to South Staffordshire’s Chamber of Commerce regional event to speak about the actions taken to enhance Tamworth Sixth Form students’ employability skills and the impact that this has had on their lives, as a result of a recommendation from the LEP officer.
Two of the Academy’s leading science teachers, have written the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) LEP action plan for Staffordshire, which will be cascaded to all educational providers as a model of outstanding practice, advising them of ways in which employers can be partnered with a school looking to promote the STEM subjects.
The Academy hosted a number of events to promote employability and offer information, advice and guidance on specific paths of employment. This included:
- Tamworth Careers Fair – where local schools in the town were invited to come along and be involved in an event to promote particular careers.
- Tamworth Apprenticeship Fair – we hosted companies who were offering apprenticeships the opportunity to speak with potential apprentices, including a representative from the government website used to advertise opportunities available.
Our Curriculum Leaders have made effective links with employers in the local and regional area. The volunteers have advised curriculum designers on course content and work-related learning possibilities. Several employers have visited lessons and spoken to students about the world of work in that subject area.
Overall and the Future
The Academy is proud to say that none of our students NEET (Not in Employment, Education or Training) having left us. This is record to be proud of. We attribute this success to the work we conduct on student skills and with employers.
Plans for the future include:
- Further engagement with small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Tamworth;
- Launch of the Young Enterprise event
- Scheduling skills challenge events;
- Engaging with the Careers and Enterprise Company’s mentoring scheme;
- Launching ‘Learn Live’;
- Creating a partnership with Founders 4 Schools
Quotes
Ben Adams, Cabinet Member for Learning & Skills for Staffordshire County Council, County Councillor for Perrycrofts Tamworth said:
“I gather the LEP sponsored employer engagement pilot in Tamworth schools is going well and that the Landau Forte schools and 6th form are at the forefront and that you are personally championing this locally and further afield.
This is great news.
Thank you.“
Request
If you are an employer and would like to form a link with Landau Forte Academy Tamworth Sixth Form, whether it is to offer work experience placements or recruit staff members, or indeed speak to groups of students, please would you get in touch with Darren Bates ([email protected]) and they will be happy to liaise with you.