Think Big! That’s the maxim at Talbot Heath School, Bournemouth – the first independent school to join Young Chamber, thanks to sponsorship by Smith Hobbs Wealth Management a financial advice and wealth management company.
Talbot Heath School, a long-standing member of Dorset Chamber, wished to join Young Chamber as part of a wider initiative to engage with business including investment in the school’s brand new state-of-the-art learning centre, launching in 2019. Smith Hobbs Wealth Management, which offers school fees planning advice as just one of its financial advice offerings, agreed to sponsor Talbot Heath’s membership of Young Chamber following initial discussions with the school with regard to the new centre and how it will be used.
The three storey Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) Hub will be a collaborative, creative and digital environment for interdisciplinary learning. It will give the school a unique opportunity to prepare students for the world of work through hands-on application of relevant technologies, alongside their core academic learning. The facilities will also be made available for use by other schools in Dorset.
Talbot Heath Headteacher, Angharad Holloway, said: “By creating a dedicated centre, we have the facility for greater interaction with businesses to set projects that reflect real working situations, where students can develop the interpersonal, collaborative and critical thinking skills they will need in their working lives. Young Chamber will play a key role in helping us to engage with businesses across the Dorset Chamber membership, many of whom have already been very supportive of the school and the new Hub. We look forward to working with the Young Chamber’s dedicated Coordinator to engage businesses and we thank Smith Hobbs Wealth Management for this valued support.”
Matt Smith, Director of Smith Hobbs Wealth Management who will be directly involved with the Young Chamber programme by giving regular talks at the school, said: “The launch of the new STEAM Hub was a key factor in our decision to sponsor Talbot Heath School’s membership of Young Chamber, especially as the facilities will be accessible to other schools across the wider community in the longer term.
“In addition to this impressive initiative, Young Chamber not only allows me to engage with students as part of a programme and share my experience, from graduating in law before moving into wealth management, it creates the opportunity for the school to engage with other Dorset Chamber members to share careers experiences and expertise. I very much look forward to supporting Young Chamber and Talbot Heath School in this way.”
Dorset Chamber Chief Executive, Ian Girling, said: “Talbot Heath School has always had a clear approach to equipping students for the future. The school’s investment in its new STEAM Hub is testament to this and we have no doubt the school will make the most of the Young Chamber programme, especially when the new facility launches next year.”