Professional world comes together to support ground-breaking School

A pioneering agreement between seven firms from a wide range of industries aimed at equipping pupils with skills from the world of work has launched at Birmingham's newest school. The Corporate Partner scheme at the new University of Birmingham School was officially launched at the School, in Selly Oak, on Wednesday (23 September) with representatives from the worlds of law, construction, finance and many others meeting at the school for the first time. Partners have made a financial commitment to support the School's innovative enrichment programme but their involvement will also help to contribute to the shape of the programme look like, with employees tasked to deliver sessions alongside teachers and other School staff. Representatives from the partner firms also sit on the School's Careers Advisory Board and will ensure pupils benefit from insight and experience from the various industries. The group will meet each term to plan their involvement in the following term's programme with partners each committing to a full year of involvement. The partners for 2015/16, the School's first academic year are KPMG, Deutsche Bank, JW Hinks - Bass Clusker Consulting, Willmott Dixon, PWC and Shoosmiths. Michael Roden, Principal at the University of Birmingham School, said: "We believe this scheme to be a unique one, which will offer the pupils at our School something distinctive.