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Thistley Hough Academy and Stoke-headquartered Novus Property Solutions have won the national Education Partnership accolade at the Business in the Community Responsible Business Awards 2018.

The organisations were recognised in the Small Business category for their five-year strategic partnership to enhance employability in the region. The work is part of Novus’ Business Class initiative, which sees the firm partner with local schools across the country to give pupils skills to help make them ready for the working world.

The award was presented to Novus and Thistley Hough Academy at a ceremony, organised by The Prince’s Responsible Business Network, on Wednesday, 3rd July at the Royal Albert Hall, London.  Winners of the other categories on the evening included Barclays, engineer Arup, Aviva and Nestle.

Business in the Community – The Prince’s Responsible Business Network – is a business-led membership organisation made up of progressive businesses of all sizes that seeks to encourage social, environmental and economic sustainability. Its annual Responsible Business awards programme celebrates the best work done by organisations in supporting social value in their communities.

Kevin Rhone, head of social value and customer service at Novus, said:

“Our Business Class initiative is one of many ways we’re reinvesting in the communities where we work. Across the country, we have a range of CSR projects and initiatives that are having a demonstrable impact on peoples’ lives.

“Construction is witnessing a huge skills shortage. And that’s not just in terms of trades, we need people will excellent soft skills too and this is something we’ve always been keen to support. Winning the Business in the Community accolade is a fantastic result given its national prestige.”

Thistley Hough Academy Principal Holly Hartley says:

“Our school had faced a number of challenges and so, when approached by Novus I was very keen to be involved in the scheme. From the outset our partnership with Novus has had a significant and tangible impact on life at the Academy and is founded on trust and integrity and so it has been easy to engage, despite our significant operational differences.

She continues:

“Novus is now a daily part of life for us providing both our staff and students with inspiring opportunities – from mentoring pupils, to offering support in high-level Public Finance Initiative meetings, to the development of a new school allotment, or by working with students on employability-based skill sessions.”

Across the duration of the initiative, thanks to the support of Novus, the Academy has been graded some ‘Outstanding’ features by Ofsted. Similarly, the partnership has resulted in direct commercial benefits for Novus including new relationships across the local education sector, helping it to win more than £5 million worth of construction work.

For more information about Thistley Hough Academy visit thistleyhoughacademy.org.uk or call 01782 883500 and for more information about the Business in the Community Awards log on to awards.bitc.org.uk.