Directory of School Business Links in Oxfordshire
Compiled by The Oxford Trust, May 2006
For Oxfordshire businesses wishing to develop educational links there are two main routes to schools - the Education Business Partnership network and the SETPOINT network, both of which are able to offer a broad portfolio of options for involvement. Both are coordinated national networks, through which government and other funding is channelled.
The Oxfordshire Education Business Partnership (OEBP) supports schools across the county by bringing students and business people together so that young people know more about working life, adapt well to employment and learn more effectively. OEBP works with all types of business, arranging work experience placements and running a range of activities that help students to develop the skills and attitudes that businesses want.
- Manager
- Vikki Gledhill, www.oebp.org.uk, 01865 323 474, oebp@oxfordshire.gov.uk
For science, technology and engineering based businesses there is an additional specialist channel through which links can be made with schools. This is because support for this sector, in terms of the ongoing supply of appropriately skilled young people, is deemed a priority by government. This channel is the SETPOINT network, which is coordinated across the UK by SETNET. SETPOINTs work closely with schools in their area to act as a first point of contact for information, to provide access to stimulating science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) activities and to develop links between schools, business and research organisations. The Oxford Trust is the SETPOINT for Milton Keynes, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire (MKOB).
- SETPOINT Manager
- Bridget Holligan: 01865 728953, bridget.holligan@oxtrust.org.uk
It is recommended that businesses in Oxfordshire wishing to make links with schools do so via the many excellent existing initiatives, run either by OEBP or SETPOINT MKOB or by one of the organisations listed in the directory. Two schools in Oxfordshire currently have Specialist Status in Business and Enterprise, and therefore have a particular interest in working with local companies.
- The Marlborough School, Woodstock
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- www.marlborough.oxon.sch.uk, 01993 811431
- Head Teacher
- Julie Fenn: admin.4560@marlborough.oxon.sch.uk
- Business & Enterprise
- Sharon Whittaker: sjw7023@marlborough.oxon.sch.uk
- Oxford Community School
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- www.oxford.oxon.sch.uk, 01865 428200, oxfordschool@oxford.oxon.sch.uk
- Head Teacher
- Steve Lunt: stevel@oxford.oxon.sch.uk
- Business & Enterprise
- Amanda Carter-Fraser: amandaf@oxford.oxon.sch.uk
| LOCAL ACTIVITY OR PROGRAMME | TARGET AGE GROUP | DESCRIPTION & COMPANY COMMITMENT | CONTACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Programmes supporting work-related learning and enterprise | 14-16 years | All programmes involve input from employers (flexible, 1/2 day minimum) and include: The Business of Enterprise, Work It Out, Learning from Experience, How Science Works, Get Ready for Work and Presentation Skills | |
| Vocational Workshops and Conferences | 14-16 years | Run in partnership with employers to support students taking vocational subjects e.g. Health & Social Care, Art & Design | |
| Work Experience Placements | 14-18 years | 1-2 week placements in companies. The school or the EBP organise the placement. The EBP carries out H&S checks for all placements and run student preparation and debrief sessions. | |
| Mock Interviews | 14-18 years | Use local employers to assist with interview practice, including group interviews | |
| Professional Development Placements | Teachers | Teachers spend time in a company or organisation relevant to their teaching subject. Placements can be a day or a number of days. | |
| In-company educational visits | 14-19 years | Bespoke in-company educational visits designed to make the link between knowledge acquited in the classroom with application in the workplace. Flexible time commitment as required by employer, typically 1-3 hours. |
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| Curriculum Enhancement | 11-18 years | Bespoke projects, where the Trust acts as a broker between schools and science and technology companies to produce customised curriculum packages. Flexible company commitment - 1/2 day minimum |
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| INPUT Problem Solving Workshops | 11-18 years | Problem solving activities that set science, maths and technology in an industrial context. Flexible company commitment - 1/2 day minimum |
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| Science Enterprise Mentoring Scheme | 16-18 years | Mentoring Scheme for A level science students who are doing an individual project. Mentors, from academia and business, provide guidance on the scientific and technical side of research. Company commitment is 1/2 day for introductions plus continued email/phone contact. |
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| Enterprise Seminars | 14-18 years | Events exploring the commercial aspects of high tech innovation, with input (flexible, 1 hour min) from SME's and IPR specialists. |
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| The Work Place | 15-16 | Small groups of previously disengaged Year 11 student receive their education at an office based on Milton Park Estate providing a working/business environment. Companies are encouraged to be involved to give the students a real insight into the world of work |
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| Training routes for Engineering apprenticeships | 16-24 years | Apprenticeships last 1-2 years. Isis matches students to companies, help companies to develop training plans and support and monitor students' progress. | |
| Undergraduate placements | 20+ years | Sandwich placements during third year of degree course. Company sets the placement and pays student a salary set by them. | |
| Working with MBA students | Usually 24+ years | Companies can tap into the skills of MBA students by getting them to produce a business plan or carry out a team consultancy project on their behalf. In both cases the company usually covers the expenses incurred but incurs no other direct costs, although a performance bonus can be awarded for consultancy projects. |
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| NATIONAL SCHEME | TARGET AGE GROUP | DESCRIPTION | CONTACT |
| Engineering Education Scheme | 16-17 years | Scheme where a professional engineer from a link company works with a team of up to four high ability Year 12 students, and their teacher, for 5-6 months on a real engineering problem set by the company. |
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| Nuffield Science Bursary Scheme | 16-17 years | Year 12 students work on 4-6 week research projects, set by the host organisation, during their summer holidays. Students are paid a bursary of £70 per week by the local coordinator. 30 projects in Oxfordshire. |
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| Science and Engineering Ambassadors (SEAs) | 5-18 years | DfES/DTI scheme for all scientists and engineers who are involved with schools (or wish to be). SEAs are trained (1/2 day) to communicate effectively with students and teachers and are provided with a wide variety of ongoing opportunities (minimum commitment 1/2 day per year). All activity with young people counts as SEA activity, whether it is arranged directly by the SEA, their employer or through The Oxford Trust/EBP/Industrial Trust etc. Examples include giving presentations, helping with science clubs and supporting careers events, enterprise seminars and problem solving workshops. DfES/DTI recently expanded their support for the scheme and there are currently 200 Oxfordshire SEAs. |
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| Shell Technology Enterprise Programme | 19-21 years | Shell STEP is a UK-wide programme offering undergraduates project-based work, set by the company, within small to medium sized businesses. Projects run for 8 weeks in July & August. Companies pay an agency fee and £185 per week for their student, invoiced by their local agent. Students compete to be 'Most Enterprising Student of the Year'. |
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| Apprenticeships | 16-24 years | Apprentices work towards National Vocational Qualifications in a range of topics while working full time. Training is fully funded, companies pay employees' wages. |
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| The Industrial Trust | 8-19 years | Bespoke in-company educational visits: introductions to the world of work for 8-14 and curriculum related packages for 14-19. Flexible time commitment as required by employer. |
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| Year in Industry | 18-21 years | Scheme providing young people with paid, degree relevant work placements in science, engineering, IT and business. Placements last a year before or during the university course and students are paid by the company as a member of staff (£8500-£14000) plus a contribution for administration of the scheme. |
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| Young Engineers | 9-19 years | Run a wide variety of national competitions and challenges, including Young Engineer for Britain. Also run a national Engineering Club network which supports the setting up of extra-curricula engineering clubs. Both strands involve linking the young people involved with engineers from industry (flexible, 1/2 day minimum). |
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| Young Enterprise | Company Programme 15-19 years Whole range 4-21 years | The Young Enterprise programme range offers students the opportunity to run a real company in Company Programme, Team Programme and Graduate Programme; and to learn about aspects of business from the first hand experiences of volunteers in Primary Programme, Project Business and Entrepreneurship Masterclass. Flexible commitment from companies depending on programme - Company Programme Business Advisors are required to attend a 1/2 day training session plus 1-2 hours per week during the school year. |
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