Burnt Mill Academy
Through its newly formed Education Group the Worshipful Company of Wheelwrights established a relationship with Burnt Mill Academy in Harlow, to help pupils gain a better understanding of the world of business to which few would have been exposed. The Academy (https://www.burntmillacademy.org/) has around 1200 pupils aged between 11 and 16 and, over recent years, it has progressed from being in ‘Special Measures’ to ‘Ofsted Outstanding’. The teaching staff are a professional and committed group always looking for ways of improving the life chances of those in their care which is where we feel able to help.
The Academy runs a number of initiatives to better prepare their students meet the challenges of the wider world, these include mock interview sessions and career days; familiarisation visits and mentoring is where we as Wheelwrights can help. Career insights and advice from those with practical experience is something we not only believe to be of real value but areas whereby drawing on our own diverse resources can bring real world experience. Alongside this we are conscious that the teaching staff can also benefit from a greater familiarity with the present-day world of work and opportunity.
Starting in 2021, the Company will launch a Wheelwright-branded Award Scheme for each academic school year group specifically to reward pupil achievement in the twin fields of ‘Science’ and ‘Technology’. This will not only provide a further spur to academic progress but emphasise the support which our Livery can provide now and into the future.
Looking further forward, the Burnt Mill Academy Trust is in the process of establishing an associated sixth-form college with which we also stand ready to assist in every way we can.
Burnt Mill Academy is part of the Burnt Mill Academy Trust (https://www.bmat-trust.org/). The Trust operates 14 primary, secondary and sixth form academies in East London and Essex.