Hough goes back to school for Teach First

ROBERT Hough, the leading North West businessman, returned to the classroom as part of a campaign to highlight the work of and raise support for education charity Teach First.

Hough, chair of the Liverpool City Region LEP, and a director of Peel Group, taught a lesson at the Manchester Enterprise Academy in Wythenshawe, south Manchester.

To highlight the work of Teach First in the region, he has launched a North West Business Leaders Council, which is urging comapnies to support schools and pupils, especially those in low-income communities, in order to nurture a more equal, and sustainable economy in the region.

Teach First recruits thousands of bright graduates every year, who pledge to work for two years in schools located in areas of deprivation and high worklessness.  In the North West 40% of pupils from low-income backgrounds achieve 5 A*-C grades at GCSE compared to 70% of their wealthier peers across the region.

Its graduates energise and inspire the pupils they teach, and often stay in education beyond the two years.

Companies and individuals pledging to support the charity by joining the Leaders Council include: Accenture, Bibby Line, Booths,     TheBusinessDesk.com, Deloitte, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, Peel Group, PwC, Rod Sellers OBE, Siemens and Tangerine PR.

In addition the Liverpool, Manchester and Lancashire Local Enterprise Partnerships are also affiliated too.

The North West Business Leaders Council has pledged to raise funds and also work with Teach First to encourage more talented graduates to teach.

During his visit to Manchester Enterprise Academy, Hough: “At schools like the Manchester Enterprise Academy, I have had the rewarding experience of seeing the great work of many teachers first hand. I look forward to working with more schools and Teach First in my role as chair for the North West Business Leaders Council.

“Where schools are already providing a world-class education for their pupils, I want this council and other local businesses to support them to build on what they’re doing, and give more young people the education they deserve.

“This is an exciting development within the Northern Powerhouse agenda, one that I know will help sustain the incredible investment that has been put into the North West, and support the next generation of local talent.”

Since Teach First launched in the North West in 2006 Teach First has placed over 605 teachers in 72 schools in Greater Manchester, Liverpool, Merseyside and the Northern Cluster (including Darwen, Burnley, Bolton and Preston).  

Teach First’s director for the North West, Colin Ferguson said:”The launch of the North West Business Leaders’ Council brings together influential figures from across the region to create a step change in mobilising people and local businesses to ensure every child has a fair chance in life.

“I’m heartened by the opportunity to bring together such powerful local advocates for our communities,  helping us tackle the unique challenges young people face across the region.”