THE worlds of education and business came together this week in a unique project at Ilkley Middle School.

The Valley Drive-based school welcomed managers from the American Express organisation.

Organised by Ilkley-based Dominic Irvine, of Pembroke Management Development, staff from the company (from managers to directors) spent three days at the school working with Year Six pupils.

The visitors showed the pupils how the skills of project planning and goal-setting used in the work place are the same sets of skills pupils need to succeed in their

education.

Richard Jennings, Ilkley Middle School head teacher, said he had been very excited at the prospect of the project and was confident it would help youngsters prepare for forthcoming examinations.

He said: "I understand the company will come in and help pupils with a time line for example, focusing on preparation skills."

The pupils should hopefully gain an understanding of the techniques needed for both education and business success, but what of the visiting managers?

A Pembroke spokesman said: "For the employees it will provide a valuable opportunity to test their ability to disseminate information clearly and concisely in a way that motivates others to change behaviour."

In preparation for the visit, pupils at the school kept in contact with Pembroke staff via the latest e-mail technology.

Mr Jennings joked it would make a change from companies sending management figures out on infamous 'survival' courses.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.