Business breakfast aimed at building bridges

Balerno Community High School invited local business men and women in for breakfast.

And head teacher Neil McCallum said it was part of a programme to introduce pupils to the business world.

More than 60 people, including senior pupils, attended the session and Mr McCallum said it was designed to build partnerships.

He added: “We are trying to open doors and pathways for all of our young people.

“The aim is to give pupils the best experience and best access and the tools for work beyond school.

“We also want to ensure they have the appropriate skills and are prepared for the line of work they would eventually like to go into.

“Overall, it is trying to build partnership so we can have the support of people who are in business.

“That may be inviting young people into the workplace or doing mock interviews or looking at CVs.”

This bridge, he added, can be beneficial and he added: “The world is such a quick changing place.

“We need to make sure that our young people have the appropriate skills and that we are doing the best we can to prepare them for life beyond school.”

An extension to the breakfast meeting could, he said, involve mentoring so businessmen and women could come in and support pupils.

And he hopes that the meeting gave potential partners a feel for what the school are trying to achieve.