Initiatives
Reading and Number Partners
Rothschilds – Reading and Number Partners
When the London Borough of Tower Hamlets’ Education Business Partnership was seeking a venue to launch its Future Horizons programme, NM Rothschild was quick to step forward with the offer of its offices.
Our relationship with the Bank goes back four years when volunteers from the firm began providing literacy support, as Reading Partners, at Bow School. Like so many business/school partnerships, the association has grown to encompass much more as Nuria Ramos, Bow’s Reading Partner scheme co-ordinator explains: "Students say they have improved so much with their reading skills. They feel very privileged to have a special relationship with an adult different from their family members. The relationships created are excellent and for Christmas, they organised a party and lovely presents for the boys."
A Number Partner scheme followed a year later and participants in both enjoy an end of term visit to the Bank where a reading and number session takes place. "Pupils get really excited about being treated like adults and it is a great activity to raise their aspirations," Nuria adds.
Victor Bosah who co-ordinates the Number Partners scheme at Bow has recently launched an anti-bullying programme that Rothschild is supporting. "They funded the training of 23 peer mentors who mentor both bullies and victims and purchased 80 hand bands for members of the club. With their help, we are winning the race to minimise bullying in the school."
Veronica Kennard is the Rothschild company co-ordinator whose task it is to ensure the smooth running of the scheme from the Bank’s standpoint and to liaise with the school to see how Rothschild can help. "The link with Bow forms part of our corporate responsibility programme which has focused on education. It allows us to give something back to the community. Involvement with the school gives our employees a change from their normal routine, a chance to feel they can make a difference, the opportunity to build an ongoing relationship with a student and time meet other volunteers from different parts of the company."
NM Rothschild has recently funded the cost of two new sets of games for Number Partners and discussions are underway regarding the setting up of a Science Partners scheme.