The business of education

Being a member of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce has been fruitful in many ways, writes Anna Newson, Head of PR & Communications for the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership (ATLP).

It has opened the gateway to a number of opportunities and we are passing on those benefits to our students, staff and communities.

Since joining the Chamber in 2016, we have made so many useful connections, raised our profile, and even scooped the Sutton Coldfield Large Business of the Year award. It’s been a valuable, reciprocal partnership and one that will only keep on giving.

Collaboration is the cornerstone to school improvement and, as an expanding multi-academy trust of (soon to be) 14 schools and one teaching school in Birmingham, North Warwickshire and Staffordshire, we are keen to engage with others to create more opportunities for our students to excel.

This year is ATLP’s Decade of Difference, a celebration of 10 years of school-to-school support, which is why we so thrilled that our contribution to the region was recognised at the Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce’s 2019 awards.

Fellow award-winners and Chamber members, ARK Media, kindly produced a video charting our win. This offer is a typical example of the generosity we see from likeminded members and we are grateful for their support.

This summer students and staff from ATLP schools attended the Chamber’s Royal Business Fair. They impressed delegates with their exhibition stand and presentations at the launch of Eco Pledge, alongside Sutton Coldfield Chamber President and former ATLP student – Katie Hale. The reception was fantastic!

Chris Brewerton, Senior Business Development and Relationship Manager at Sutton Coldfield’s Chambers of Commerce, was among those championing our students. Chris regularly supports school careers activities, including the ‘Young Professionals’ event, where he was joined by Sutton Coldfield Chair and former Arthur Terry student, Nigel Waldron, Director of Power Minerals.

These experiences enable students to develop their skills and experiences, to boost their confidence – to build ambition. 

This month we welcomed Katie Hale to the ATLP Trust Board – she has been an enthusiastic supporter of our work as students at her former school, Coleshill, will attest. The partnership has gone ‘full circle’ as it was our Trust Board’s Board Sally Taylor who first suggested we join the Chamber. Little did we realise just how beneficial it would be.

There are many other advantages to being Chamber members, including networking events, guest speaker opportunities, network benefits (which are extended to our staff) and coverage across Chamber newsletters, websites, magazines and social media.

One key benefit is being part of a wider network of people who are committed to collaboration, serving their communities and supporting each other – which is the very fabric of the ATLP.

We are looking forward to strengthening our partnership with the Chamber as the ATLP expands further this year. We hope that more businesses and organisations will reach out to us and join us on our journey to help shape lives and transform communities – a truly great reward.