Local business links with school explored

STEYNING Grammar School has been demonstrating its links with local businesses to key figures at West Sussex County Council.
David Barling and Louise Goldsmith, left, with head teacher Nick WerganDavid Barling and Louise Goldsmith, left, with head teacher Nick Wergan
David Barling and Louise Goldsmith, left, with head teacher Nick Wergan

Council leader Louise Goldsmith and councillors visited the school to see how the school is embedding links with business and to see its skills and work-related learning agenda in action.

They were given an extensive tour of both the Shooting Field and Church Street sites, as well as visiting the boarding accommodation.

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As the only state boarding school in West Sussex, a focus was given to how the school supports families and students with its boarding provision.

Ms Goldsmith said: “I was very impressed with the skills agenda. As a council, we are committed to helping our children get the very best start in life and supporting them to go on to achieve their greatest potential. It was also so good to see the entrepreneurship amongst the young people.“

She was joined on the tour by Michael Brown, cabinet member for finance, Jeremy Hunt, deputy cabinet member for children, and Bramber Castle county councillor David Barling.

Mr Barling said: “The visit was really enjoyable and we were made most welcome. I am so glad my senior colleagues had the time to come over from Chichester to come round the largest school in West Sussex and to see the excellent work that is going on here.

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“The quality of teaching and the knowledge of pupils was first rate and we were very encouraged to hear that there are so many ambitious plans for university places among the sixth formers we spoke to.”

The party observed a year-seven project based learning lesson, showing students learning and demonstrating leadership, creativity and resilience skills in a lesson.

Presentations were also given by sixth form economics students, who gave their views on how they would lead the UK out of the current economic crisis.

Two of the Young Enterprise companies presented their business plans – James Hansford, managing director of Wrapped-Up, which provides a basket of food and drink made in Sussex, and Sam Miles, managing director of Prism Audio, which sells Bluewave prism speakers designed and manufactured by students.