Robert Blake Science College will receive a Community Grant for IT equipment from IBM to mark a successful first year of mentoring with Year 10 GCSE Business Studies students.
Thirty professionals from IBM have been providing coaching and support to the Year Ten students over the last academic year.
A range of IBM professionals, from senior managers to new graduates, visited the school to meet face to face, then communicated using an online tool called ‘MentorPlace’ where the students have been able to receive support with their Business Studies coursework and career guidance from the IBM mentors.
The mentoring programme with Robert Blake Science College will be extended into a second year because of the success of the scheme. The mentoring programme was developed thanks to Southwest One, the company that helps to reduce running costs at Somerset County Council, Taunton Deane Borough Council and Avon and Somerset Police Authority.
Assistant Head of Robert Blake Science College, Stephen Wardle, said: "Over the past year students have had regular contact and personal support from the business world to bring life to their studies. Our students benefited from the business and wider experiences of their mentors, as well as motivation to continue with their education after leaving school.”
Cllr David Huxtable, Somerset County Council’s Cabinet Member for Resources added, “Having top professionals from IBM working with our pupils is a wonderful benefit for the students and an important part of the value that Southwest One brings to local people”.
----ENDS----
Further Details – Jan Hookings or Elizabeth Kulh – 01823 355020
Notes to Editors
The mentoring scheme was launched on November 12 2008.
Additional quotes
Joseph Wheeler and Kelly Cooper of IBM managed the virtual mentoring programme called 'MentorPlace' at Robert Blake Science College. They commented, "It has been a pleasure to watch the relationships develop between the students and mentors. Over the course of the year there were almost a 1,000 on-line communications between them. There have been many stories about how the personal support and motivation changed aspirations. An example of this came from one mentor who commented recently that after exploring career options with their mentee, they are now aspiring to gain the qualifications required to become a school teacher."
Richard Jones, Chief Executive of Southwest One, commented: “In IBM we place a premium on education, both for our own employees and for others. As a company we're committed to using both our technology, thought leaders and our skills to assist schools in raising achievement and aspiration. Robert Blake Science College are joining a community of hundreds of schools and universities across the UK and beyond, who are all part of the MentorPlace programme, supported by our staff. MentorPlace encourages dialogue and collaboration - these are all essential skills that all employers are looking for in their future workforces. MentorPlace will give these students a real headstart.”
