This category is to recognise an initiative by either a school or business that has forged a successful partnership to the benefit of a school and its pupils. The nominations are...

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

OASIS ACADEMY

Oasis Academy in Lister Park, Bradford has a long-standing team-up with financial giant Santander that is reaping rewards. Santander provide internships for Oasis Academy students.

These help to provide on the job training and support, where the students get work placements and other training.

Santander also supports the Oasis students by taking them out into the field and, most importantly, actually offering apprenticeships to the best interns.

Liz Howe, assistant achievement leader for post-16-year-olds at Oasis Academy, says: "Their support is invaluable and makes a real difference to young people, giving them a chance to experience real life, help them to make life choices and give them a goal to aim for."

Last summer Santander's Bradford office opened its doors to five students from Oasis Academy Lister Park for summer internships as part of the bank’s support for Career Academies UK, a charity that aims to improve the employment prospects for young people.

The charity provides a structured programme in schools and colleges through Career Academies - a mixture of master classes, mentoring, workplace visits and internships - that help prepare students for the world of work. This year will see 50 students from ten Santander-funded Career Academies work around the UK for six-week paid placements.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

TONG HIGH SCHOOL

Eight students from Tong High School, Bradford took their first steps into careers in housing as part of a ground breaking course backed by Incommunities.

The group of sixth formers from Tong Sixth Form learnt about the different elements of housing and all its functions on a one-year study programme involving classroom-based learning and work shadowing.

The junior GEM programme has been developed by the Centre for Partnership, part of Incommunities, as a pathway into rewarding management careers in a fast moving sector. The training is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) and each student follows the programme alongside their A-level studies.

After a successful pilot partnership, this year (14/15) six new students have enrolled on the junior GEM programme and after a successful induction and attending their first module they are now underway with their qualification assignments.

Trude Feiweles, Associate Head teacher, Tong High School, said: "Our aim at Tong is to ensure from the outset that all students gain the qualifications at the highest level they need to pursue their chosen career and attain the professional and personal skills required."

Together Tong High School and Incommunities aim to grow this partnership and use this pilot as a blue print model for other schools and businesses across the city.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

JAMES SLATER AND MEGAN CARSON, LOCAL LEADER

Titus Salt School Many nominations were received for the Local Leader magazine run by James Slater and Megan Carson. The pair set up their own magazine, sourced printing and sponsorship and distributed to the local area.

Among the nominations received were comments including: "This magazine is a shining example of how schools can inspire their pupils. The commitment and professionalism of the team who write the magazine is something the leadership team at Salts can be proud of."

And: "They are both studying for their A levels at Salts school but despite that they have officially launched the Local Leader as a business. It started off as a school project but grew quite quickly and they both decided that it would be of benefit to the local comminuty if it became a full time business.

"The businesses and people in the local community have now got used to this magazine coming out every two months and it really is going from strength to strength. These two youngsters deserve recognition for what they have acheived and will continue to achieve."

THE SPONSOR: SHIPLEY COLLEGE

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Shipley College

Shipley College is sponsoring the Business in Schools Award in recognition of the importance of schools, colleges and businesses working together for mutual benefit. 

We appreciate the richer experience that our students gain from work placements, shared project working, presentations and competitions which are just some of the collaborations with our educational and business partners. Staff at the respective organisations also benefit hugely from these links too.

Students participate in WorldSkills and Matchfit competitions which give them a chance to compete at the highest level. Equally the links with national retail, banking, travel and hospitality companies provide direct experience of work in those sectors and insights into career options and business priorities. 

Our apprentices thrive with the local companies employing them - from major names to smaller local companies employing a few people. In addition, Level 3 Business, IT, Media/Games Development students and pupils at Titus Salt School benefit from our Centre of Excellence for Business hub which has active and committed board and associate members from the business world including Yorkshire Water, Prashad, Beaumont Robinson and Sainsbury’s.

The real life business projects and the work experience they gain are vital for developing life and work skills and confidence. Some students and apprentices are then offered full-time jobs with those very organisations which is a real positive.

Equally Shipley College provides work experience placements for school pupils and takes on apprentices who often gain a full-time job on completion of their training.