Trust ’ s curriculum is the business
One of the Tees region ’ s education trusts is proving it means business when it comes to encouraging children as young as six to learn about enterprise and the world of work .
Tees Valley Education is a multiacademy trust comprising schools from Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland – Brambles , Pennyman , Wilton and Dormanstown primaries and Discovery Special Academy .
And as part of its mission to make education as relevant as possible to today ’ s world , its youngsters will experience aspects of a bespoke Business and Enterprise Curriculum as part of their learning .
The trailblazing “ BEC @ TVED ” curriculum aims to give all children the chance to “ experience a range of local and regional businesses and industries ”, designed to provide focused opportunities for years one to six to build on their skills and learning .
Working in collaboration with lead businesses and institutions , it has three main strands : understanding a range of businesses ; enterprise ; and careers – along with problemsolving and team / life skills .
And according to Tees Valley Education CEO Katrina Morley , it ’ s an additional way of giving children “ every chance to achieve their ambitions and dreams .”
She says : “ The team at Tees Valley Education have worked with a range of businesses and providers over the last year to write a bespoke business and enterprise offer that complements and adds to our existing , more traditional curriculum .
" For many resources , we have worked with Sparks Tees Valley to incorporate their expertise to support both businesses and the TVEd curriculum .
“ We wanted to ensure there was a continuous , sustained offer to all children from Year One upwards .”
By providing those opportunities across the primary years , the children will experience a wide range of local businesses and industries , be inspired and , hopefully ,
CAPITAL GAINS
FW Capital has been supporting Tees Valley businesses for more than 12 years - boosting the local economy by £ 110m . Established with the aim of providing alternative finance to businesses struggling to access support from traditional sources , FW Capital is proud to be part of the local business community .
It has invested more than £ 25m into 70 businesses in the area , leveraging private sector investment totalling over £ 87m and creating and safeguarding approaching 1,500 jobs .
The firm is investing in Tees Valley through two active funds – the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund ( NPIF ) and the Tees Valley Catalyst Fund .
FW Capital offers debt finance on behalf of NPIF , with loans of between £ 100,000 and £ 750,000 to help Tees Valley businesses realise their growth plans through investing in new equipment , premises , staff , systems , product lines and a variety of other uses .
The funding is designed to drive innovation and growth across a broad range of sectors - from digital and software to manufacturing and construction .
PICTURE : DOUG MOODY
One business to benefit from NPIF- FW Capital Debt Finance investment is Middlesbrough-based Press On Vinyl . A £ 350,000 loan supported working capital requirements to launch this vinyl pressing business as it opened a new state-ofthe art pressing plant at Tees-Advance Manufacturing Park .
David Dodd , Press On Vinyl ’ s commercial director , said : “ Our new business will prioritise local artists , which will make a huge difference to the Teesside music scene .
“ This investment from FW Capital will support us as we launch this exciting new venture and create 46 jobs for the local economy .”
FW Capital also manages the £ 10m Tees Valley Catalyst Fund , on behalf of Tees Valley Business , the local growth hub for the Tees Valley and part of the Tees Valley Combined Authority . This fund helps ambitious businesses bid for new contracts by providing short-term loans of between
Trailblazing – Tees Valley Education ’ s trust improvement lead Sean Harris , CEO Katrina Morley and director of trust improvement and standards Helen Hall , with staff and children from Pennyman Primary Academy .
share it with their families and communities .
Katrina adds : “ Coming into education from industry , I fully recognise the importance of these links for children from an early age .”
TVED ’ s trust improvement lead , Sean Harris , says research shows that the interaction children have with the people , places and objects in their early learning environment has an important impact on their development , learning and wellbeing . He says : “ Our Business and Enterprise Curriculum is about providing all children with a regular opportunity for authentic and meaningful encounters with industry experts so that every child can recognise and pursue the careers of their choice , regardless of ability , additional needs or background .”
Proud – North East Fund director Joanne Whitfield .
£ 100,000 and £ 2m .
The fund provides loans for performance and warranty bonds and advance payment guarantees , which provide a financial guarantee to a client that a supplier will deliver on time and to standard .
North East Fund director Joanne Whitfield said : “ We ’ ve always been proud to be part of and support the business community in Tees Valley . It is fantastic to see the upward trajectory of the region .”
To find out if FW Capital can help your business , please visit fwcapital . co . uk or email info @ fwcapital . co . uk
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