We were delighted when a member of OxLEP Skills recently received an Investors in Education Award from the Oxfordshire Business Education Alliance (OBEA) for “supporting the development of CEIAG across Wheatley Park School.”

The OBEA is a partnership of four secondary schools and a number of businesses, which helps organise work experience placements and projects to give students an invaluable introduction to the world of business. Each year, the OBEA presents awards to local businesses and organisations in recognition of their high level of support for OBEA projects and high quality work with schools. Winners are nominated by each of the partner schools.

Susan Ledgard-Hoile was nominated by Wheatley Park School to receive an award on behalf of Oxfordshire LEP “in recognition of a particular and distinctive contribution to education in Oxfordshire.” In her role as Enterprise Coordinator with OxLEP Skills, Susan works with schools across the county to help develop and deliver careers and enterprise activities. She has worked closely with Wheatley Park School, helping them to organise a construction taster day for Year 8 students, among other initiatives and is busy planning a Science & Technology Day for Year 8 students, along with a Human Library for Year 10.

Susan attended a fantastic award ceremony at The Old Swan and Minster Mill in Minster Lovell on Friday 30 June, where she was presented with her award by Wheatley Park School Headteacher Tim Martin and former Headteacher Kate Curtis, who is now Education Quality Associate for the River Learning Trust.

It was a real honour for Susan and OxLEP Skills to receive this award, which recognises the work we are doing with schools to help young people prepare for entering the world of work.

If you would like to find out more about our Enterprise Coordinators and how they can support your school, please email skills@oxfordshirelep.com.

Susan is pictured above with current Wheatley Park School Headteacher Tim Martin and former Headteacher Kate Curtis, who is now Education Quality Associate for the River Learning Trust and below with Wheatley Park School staff and students and the school’s nominees.