We have given some support to two major new learning centres that link pupils, businesses and learning about Birmingham.

We were able to do some pump-priming work with a learning centre at Jaguar Cars. We have also helped to establish literacy and numeracy- activities within a learning centre on the 15th floor of the city-centre Rotunda, established by the Birmingham Alliance who are undertaking major reshaping work of sections- of the central shopping area. This centre is currently being used for a range of activities focusing on young peoples’ understanding of the changing nature of Birmingham.

Our support for the training of reading volunteers has included 208 volunteers from more than 14 different businesses.

An interesting recent development has been the support we have been able to give to the Careers Education- Business Partnership to enable them to work with primary schools and businesses to produce Big Books. Teachers go out into local- industry and commerce to capture real activity in a series of photographs-. Back in the classroom, teachers work with the pupils to produce the Big Books by using simple- text, symbols, photographs, and colourful layouts. These books then remain in school as high-quality sets of resources for use in lessons.

To date, Big Books with Business are currently being- used in classrooms for Early Years, Key Stage 1, Key Stage 2, and Key Stage 3 in secondary schools. Whilst keeping a literacy and numeracy focus, the use of the big books is a unique way of incorporating the "world of work" into the rest of the curriculum. Schools commented that children across the ability range have been stimulated to talk to others, and to write at appropriate- levels through producing these big books. The problem solving and communication skills were being applied to real life situations involving non-teaching adults. In many cases the children’s enthusiasm spilled over into the home. This development was winner of the 2000 National Careers Award.

These activities with business have involved all sizes of groups, from a small number of pupils to a whole school. Businesses have recognised the employee development benefits, as those who have been involved with the schools gain in confidence-, get wider experience- and come back to work more creative, more articulate- and more able to contribute to workplace decision-making.