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We recently committed to a new three-year membership of the flagship education programme set up by Business in the Community (BITC).

Members of Business in the Community, which is the Prince’s Responsible Business Network, work together to tackle a wide range of issues to build a fairer society and a more sustainable future. Its Business Class scheme aims to support a cluster of eight schools in disadvantaged communities by creating long-term, sustainable partnerships with local businesses and we’ve been part of the scheme since 2013.

Our chairman Stuart Seddon, who is a member of BITC’s Regional Leadership Board and chairs his local Business Class cluster, has confirmed that we will continue our involvement for the next three years and seek to build on the links we’ve built with schools in Staffordshire.

The first partnership that we created began in 2013 when the company started working with staff and students from Thistley Hough Academy, where collaborative projects have included the creation of a community garden, path-building and fencing installation, and students have been involved in needs-led activities, mentoring, volunteering and skills development.

The partnership flourished from the outset, and was recognised with Business in the Community’s West Midlands Collaborative Action Award earlier this year. The award recognises a partnership that is pooling resources and working together to make a positive impact on a key social or environmental issue through their collaborative action.

The Business Class cluster, which we established and secured the involvement of eight businesses, has supported more than 3,000 school pupils to help improve their skills and employability.

Stuart Seddon reflected on the success of our involvement in the scheme, saying: “Business Class is a very special initiative that has grown close to the hearts of the Novus team.

“The investment of time and costs that we have put into working with the schools brings a range of benefits, the most important being the boosting of career opportunities and employment skills for young people in the region.

“Our business thrives on its links with the local area, and the decision to continue our involvement in the programme – which delivers such vital work and involves such dynamic schools and businesses – was an obvious one.”