Silver Jubilee Big Tick

Allen & Overy - Silver Jubilee Big Tick

We have moved on from simply being at the receiving end of some generous assistance and charity to becoming a partnership. I would like to thank Allen & Overy for the investment in time and resources which has supported the school and I very much look forward to developing this partnership further.

Mark KearyHead Teacher, Bethnal Green Technology College

Allen & Overy LLP (A&O) is one of the top international law firms in the world.  It has approximately 4,800 staff working in 25 major cities with 2,320 of those staff in its London offices in the City and Canary Wharf.  With a focus on its neighbouring communities of Tower Hamlets and Hackney, and Tower Hamlets EBP as a long term partner, A&O have created ladders of opportunity for young people that will support them from primary school through to university. 

Like most law firms A&O has a long tradition of pro-bono support for community organisations. Over the last ten years it has developed its community activities from largely pro bono projects into a multi-faceted programme involving 76% of its London lawyers.

Through its long term partnership with Tower Hamlets EBP, A&O employee volunteers go to St Johns Primary School to help with reading arithmetic and Spanish, they work in schools and colleges across Tower Hamlets and Hackney on arts, enterprise, mentoring and personal development programmes and 26 A&O employees serve as schools governors. A&O provides university scholarships and bursaries, and its volunteers are involved in an FE/HE diversity mentoring scheme. In 2006, over 400 A&O staff participated in 20 Education Schemes in Tower Hamlets and Hackney, helping 600 children.

In late 2005 Bethnal Green Technology College (BGTC) was placed into special measures. A&O were approached by the Tower Hamlets EBP to be a key partner in the school's recovery plan. The support received from A&O was sited in each of the HMI's reports as a key contributor and BGTC are now said to have "turned the corner".

In recent years successful collaborations with other businesses have been established including the launch of a debt advice clinic in Tower Hamlets with their client, ABN AMRO and a new partnership with Stepney Greencoat Primary School with A&O volunteers working alongside those from Barclays.

The benefits for the firm have been immense.  In a highly competitive market, where all the top law firms are aiming to recruit the best talents, A&O’s community programme helps to build skills, develop motivation, build loyalty, attract staff and give them a competitive edge. And in the search for new business, collaborative projects with existing and potential clients help to develop relationships, promote understanding and provide clear evidence of A&O’s commitment to excellence, whether at work on client briefs or on community programmes.

Impact

  • During the period of their involvement with St John's Primary School, Key Stage 2 SATs have shown a steady improvement year on year.
  • A&O has also operated a work placement scheme for six years, resulting in 26 long term placements and 5 successful permanent job offers at organisations including A&O.
  • In their global CR survey 2006, 96% of trainees did pro bono/community work, 78% thought the community programme was excellent and in a 2005 survey, 80% of staff said that their community engagement had improved their communication skills.