Four businesses in South Manchester have donated £60,000 to Newall Green High School in Wythenshawe to provide additional cultural and social experiences for students.
The money, which will be used to provide “extra curricular activities they may not normally experience during the course of the childhood”, has been given by freight services provider Cardinal Maritime, engineering firm Endress+Hauser, jam maker Duerr’s and shoe repair to dry cleaning giant Timpson.
Executive head teacher Andy Park said the school was extremely fortunate to have found four companies willing to invest time, facilities and finance into supporting the development of young people.
He added that it was vital for the children to “develop good levels of knowledge and experience the widest range of cultural and social experiences if they are to succeed in their GCSE / Key Stage 4 examinations and go on to secure the very best employment opportunities in the future”.
The activities will involve working with the Manchester International Festival, John Rylands Library and the National Trust, among others.
“The companies who are supporting us financially are also working with us creatively to develop opportunities to enhance the careers education we offer our students,” he said.
“They are providing a range of learning experiences such as employer visits, mentoring, mock interviews, world of work days, extended work experience placements and supported routes into apprenticeships.”
“Businesses talk about CSR, we call it CSO – corporate social opportunity,” said Brian Hay, chief executive at Cardinal Maritime. “Business can be a force for good, spending time mentoring young people and inviting 16-to-18-year olds into our business.
“Here’s a group of companies that recruit lots of head office staff in the area and want to do what they can to make a difference to these children’s lives.”
Steven Endress, managing director, Endress+Hauser added: “Endress+Hauser Ltd is headquartered in Wythenshawe and recently celebrated its 50th anniversary.
“We recognise that we couldn’t have achieved this significant milestone without the support of the local community and schools within. We hope that our donation will be recognised as a big ‘thank you’ to both children and teachers and a reminder that we support them whole heartedly.”
In addition to the £60,000, Timpson has also donated a further £10,000 to local charity BW3, which which runs mentoring and development programmes in the Wythenshawe area and is backed by funding from Manchester City Council.
Helen Oakley, trustee at the Alex Timpson Trust said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with the other businesses and with BW3 to support Newall Green.
“When we were first introduced to the school we were struck by the passion and drive of the leadership team and their genuine care for each individual student and we wanted this bursary to support them in broadening the horizons and experiences of their young people, some of whom will become our colleagues of the future.”
BW3 was founded in 2002 and stands for Businesses Working With Wythenshawe. Key partners include Cardinal Maritime, Manchester Airports Group, Manchester City Council and Wythenshawe Housing Trust.
Timpson has donated £30,000 to Newall Green School, with £10,000 each from Cardinal Maritime, Duerr’s and Endress+Hauser.