Posted On June 22, 2017
Adopt a School Programme - Class of Your Own
Adopt A School is a scheme that was created by social business ‘Class of Your Own’ (COYO) that enables schools to teach the qualification ‘Design, Engineer, Construct!’ (‘DEC!’) through funding from the private sector.
G&T has a proud history of supporting education and development as well as initiatives that make a positive social impact. More recently, we have also been committed to actively addressing the skills shortage the industry is currently facing. Through the Adopt a School programme G&T was able to become actively involved and adopt Heathcote School and Science's college.
At the end of the DEC! course students have a fully accredited Level 1, 2 and 3 qualification (equivalent to GCSE and A Level). G&T became involved when partner, Tony Burton, and senior associate, Claire McDonnell, were invited to attend a meeting where the scheme was launched to Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) members by COYO creator Alison Watson.
"Overall, we have been thrilled with the success of sponsorship."G&T Partner and Programme Champion, Tony Burton
The sponsorship doesn’t just involve a financial offering, but hands on support too. We were able to mentor students through a Hotel Underground competition. This was a contest for schools taking part in the Adopt A School initiative to design a sustainable, community-minded, James Bond themed hotel in and above a disused Underground station. Using industry technology such as BIM, Heathcote students produced ‘Subterranean’, a tower hotel containing 007 style rooms and features. Their ideas included a martini bar called ‘Shaken Not Stirred’, sleek interior designs throughout that reflected the look and feel of the films and a James Bond print covering a single feature wall to name a few.
During the design process, G&T invited students from Heathcote to visit our London office and meet with a group of mentors comprising G&T employees and professionals from other firms for a project workshop where we worked with them one-on-one to advise on architecture, facilities, lighting, room size and financial planning. Following this workshop, Heathcote School made it to the final and came second out of 64 entries.
G&T Partner and Programme Champion, Tony Burton, commented:
"Overall, we have been thrilled with the success of sponsorship. We look forward to continuing our mentorship of both the students and teachers and holding more workshops as the pupils work towards their DEC! qualification."
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