Saxon Mount is doing ‘outstanding work’ to prepare its pupils for the world of work according to Christine Hodgson, Chair of The Careers and Enterprise Company, a national organisation helping to inspire and prepare young people for the workplace.

Ms Hodgson was on a visit to the school last Friday alongside Hastings MP Amber Rudd and both women were able to hear first hand from Richard Preece, Executive Headteacher and CEO of Torfield and Saxon Mount Academy Trust about how working with local employers as part of the Hastings Opportunity Area, is helping them to improve the life chances of pupils with special educational needs.

Saxon Mount School is part of the Careers and Enterprise Company’s national ‘Enterprise Adviser Network’ of more than 2,600 schools and colleges across England. Working closely with East Sussex County Council and the South East Local Enterprise Partnership, the adviser network works across the area to support schools in building relationships with employers and delivering careers education.

Each school in the network is paired with a volunteer business leader from the area, known as an enterprise adviser, who works alongside the school to improve careers education and prepare young people for the world of work.

Saxon Mount’s enterprise adviser is Jody Frampton from John O’Conner Grounds Maintenance Ltd. Ms Rudd and Ms Hodgson were heard from year ten students about how the careers activities they’d been involved in had benefited them and helped them establish their aspirations for the future. In her role as enterprise adviser Jody has arranged multiple work experience placements for Saxon Mount students allowing them to gain a practical understanding of grounds maintenance work.

After the visit Ms Rudd said: “It was fantastic to meet with Christine once again and to meet with the wonderful staff and students at Saxon Mount. The work that Saxon Mount School is doing to help prepare their pupils for the world of work is great to see.

“Jody’s work as the enterprise adviser for the school has clearly helped the students tremendously. I was good to hear the students speak so passionately about the activities and placements they have been taking part in.

“I am pleased to see our local employers working so closely with our schools to ensure that the Opportunity Area funding not only helps to provide our young people with the best education possible but also supports them into the world of work.”

Richard Preece, Executive Headteacher and CEO, Torfield and Saxon Mount Academy Trust said: “We are very fortunate to be working with such good partners from the Enterprise Adviser Network, the Careers & Enterprise Company and the Hastings Opportunity Area.

“Our school provides for pupils who have some significant barriers to learning, independence and social mobility, yet through this partnership working and because of the work of our amazing staff in ensuring our curriculum meets the needs of our pupils, we are able to better prepare them for further education, training or employment once they leave us. We are proud to say that we have an excellent track record in this aspect of our work.”

Christine Hodgson, Chair of The Careers and Enterprise Company said: “It’s wonderful to see the Enterprise Adviser Network on the ground in St Leonards-on-Sea and in particular the outstanding work being done at Saxon Mount with many local employers connecting with their young people. The impact is far-reaching in terms of attendance, attainment and positive career outcomes.”