City of London Guilds and Livery Companies have a huge potential for assisting in the work of schools and, in particular, in raising aspirations in pupils from areas of deprivation across the UK. This potential propelled the Guild of Educators to take up the challenge of administering Livery Schools Link in its role of promoting the support of London schools by City Livery Companies and Guilds.

Livery Schools Link has established close working relations with a wide range of organisations supporting/ delivering education at primary and secondary levels, for example the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust. It has done so with the education services of a number of Boroughs, with Education Business Partnerships and with other parties, notably in developing arrangements whereby individual Livery men and women, willing in principle to offer their services in support of schools, can be found to meet growing requests for volunteers for one-day courses and the like.

THE WORK OF LIVERY SCHOOLS LINK

Livery Schools Link (LSL) is playing an expanding role in facilitating links between London schools and Livery Companies and their members. This role is recognised by the Lord Mayor, who has chosen to channel his Financial Literacy project through LSL.

The work of LSL is based on the belief that city schools can play a vital role in lifting hopes, opening access and creating opportunity for young people, especially in areas often blighted by impoverished aspiration and low educational standards.

It believes that:

Nearly half of all Livery Companies are now subscribers to LSL, for the sum of £95 a year. Their membership has enabled the Link to launch a number of worthwhile initiatives, including:

SOME QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

If our Company is already heavily involved in education, and cannot provide volunteers for other activities than those it supports, what advantage is there is becoming a member of LSL?

One of the aims of the Link is to try to ensure that there is a greater appreciation and understanding, within the City and beyond, of the extent to which individual Companies are involved in supporting schools in various ways. That is why the database has been created, which covers all Companies and not only those which subscribe to the Link. But many companies, including some which have very strong individual school commitments (such as the Mercers and Drapers) feel that they are also prepared to pay £95 a year to become part of and give public support to a Livery-wide network, supported by a central administration, which can coordinate and disseminate new opportunities for Companies and individuals to become involved. Subscribers receive regular communications, including news of volunteering opportunities, a thrice-yearly Bulletin, and invitations to occasional meetings on vital educational topics The annual subscription ensures that all of these activities can be maintained since LSL has no other source of funding.

How can we find out more about the work of LSL?

Members of the LSL Committee are always willing to come along to any interested Company or Company Committee or to individual Liverymen to talk in more detail and allow you to put a face to the Link. Alternatively, Company representatives are welcome to join our occasional informal lunchtime meetings or other events. All Companies which join receive a copy of the regular Bulletin and access to a members' section of the website: http://www.liveryschoolslink.co.uk/. They are also asked to appoint a LSL representative who can disseminate information to Company members.

How can we get involved in working with schools?

One of the simplest ways for individual Livery/Freemen is to become a named volunteer, joining the growing Register held centrally by the Link. This does not entail any specific commitment, but it does provide an opportunity to be kept informed of forthcoming events and volunteering opportunities. Many bodies working with schools, for example to promote enterprise, develop financial literacy, or develop students' skills in preparing for the world of employment, are constantly looking for volunteers, and LSL enables them to have access to the wealth of expertise and good will that resides in the City and its institutions.

Do volunteers need to be trained?

Formal training is offered to school governors. In addition, bodies such as Education/Business Partnerships and young Enterprise often provide specific training for those taking part in their activities. Volunteers speak highly of the way in which this training has given them confidence and skills to impart their own knowledge and experience to pupils in primary, special and secondary schools.

Please email your interest or any questions to the LSL Administrator, Alison Truphet: alisontruphetlsl@gmail.com