McCausland awards funding boost to West Belfast School

Social Development Minister, Nelson McCausland has awarded £12,000 to St Rose’s Dominican College. The Neighbourhood Renewal funding will allow the school to participate in the Business in the Community ‘Business Class NI’ programme.

This injection of funding will support a community which has high social deprivation and continued low levels of employment.

Minister McCausland said: “This is good news for the students of St Rose’s. Having access to the expertise of the local business community at such an important time in their academic lives will be of great benefit to these students in helping them develop the skills, aspirations and motivation they need to succeed in the world of work.”

“This programme supports my Department’s strategic objectives of economic, social and community renewal. These objectives aim to improve the quality of life for people in some of our most deprived neighbourhoods.”

Teresa McNamee, Principal of St Rose’s said: “This injection of funding will support a community which has high social deprivation and continued low levels of employment.  In the present economic climate it is even more important to continue to improve outcomes for the students of our school and develop the necessary literacy, numeracy and ICT skills needed in this competitive market place. The opportunity to participate in the ‘Business Class NI’ programme will bring added value to the curriculum and teaching and learning in St Rose’s and our mutual investment in the students cannot fail to bring huge benefits to their future prospects of employment.”

Emma Morrison, BITC Programme Executive added: “Business Class has been designed to create a sea change in the way businesses work with post primary schools. It aims to overcome short term and piecemeal business engagement by developing a strategic action plan of activity by which both schools and business can measure engagement and impact.”

“We’re finding that more and more businesses see the value in engaging with the education sector. By providing mentors and role models for both students and teachers, work inspiration opportunities, support for interviews, and even assisting with wider issues such as attendance, health and wellbeing and the transition from primary to secondary, business becomes more real to students.”