Memorandum submitted by Dominic Harman, Managing Director, Persimmon Homes (West Midlands) Limited

 

I am writing to you on behalf of Persimmon Homes West Midlands part of the Persimmon Plc Group, one of the largest house-builders in the UK.

 

As the local Managing Director we have been involved with the "Creative Partnership" initiative working with the Deansfield School in Wolverhampton.

 

Locally, we work with a number of schools, through various means, but the Creative Partnerships initiative has allowed us to become more involved to help with meeting & contributing to Educational needs, whilst at the same time, giving real career in-site into our industry for all of the pupils involved, regardless of gender.

 

We have been able to work with the school on a number of curriculum related projects, allowing access to them on a regular basis and at the same time being welcomed to their school to provide advice on the vast array of projects completed by them.

 

Many members of our staff have given their time freely, driven by the enthusiasm, commitment, dedication and superb ideas by the students, which where indeed very creative.

 

One small housing project has seen students take a more active self learning approach to a number of social, academic and design initiatives and it has been a pleasure to see them mature through the process.

 

I am not an academic and have no teaching experience but the pupils have been involved in some of the following:-

 

Researching previous use of land (History & Geography)

Interviews with Local People (Social Responsibility)

Naming the Development (Marketing & History)

Interior design of showhomes (Art & Design)

Study of Construction (Maths & Science)

Presentations and Media (Media Studies, English Literature & Oral)

Event Planning (Social Responsibility)

Art Features & Design (Art)

Work Experience (Social Interaction)

 

The above is not exhaustive, nor can we list the curriculum based course work undertaken.

 

This is most definitely an initiative that the Education & Skills select committee should continue to support and role out nationally, particularly in areas that may be seen as secondary or requiring special intervention.

 

July 2007