Wates Construction's work to improve educational attainment in
Coventry schools has led to it being named Responsible Company of
the Year by Business in the Community.
Wates' role in the pilot Business Class initiative in Coventry
has seen it lead a three-year engagement programme with a number of
local low-attaining schools and businesses such as Jaguar Land
Rover, Yorkshire Bank, and University Hospital Coventry &
Warwickshire.
The initiative was established to improve the way in which
businesses engage with schools and encourage a more meaningful and
sustainable relationship between private companies and the
education sector.
The work was highlighted as demonstrating Wates' commitment to
corporate responsibility in the 2011 Awards for Excellence.
Currently working with Ernesford Grange School on Princethorpe
Way, Wates is aiming directly to tackle issues of low attainment
and attendance by providing a series of motivational talks, pupil
mentoring, and site visits, as well as carrying out a number of
school building improvements.
Phil Harrison, Managing Director of Wates Construction in the
Midlands and North, commented: "We are a business driven by our
deep-rooted respect for people, communities and the environment.
Respect demands commitment and that is exactly why we are working
hard to pilot a new way for businesses and schools to collaborate
in Coventry. We are already seeing excellent results at Ernesford
Grange, with more than half a dozen students seeing academic
improvement as a result of our help. It therefore gives Wates great
pleasure to receive this award and we look forward to building on
this success and continuing to look beyond building and invest in
the communities in which we work."
The Responsible Company of the Year accolade formed part of
BiTC's 2011 Examples of Excellence, which recognise and celebrate
those companies who have shown innovation, creativity and a
sustained commitment to corporate responsibility.
Wates' sustainable business practice also includes supporting
1,000 people back into employment, reducing carbon emissions by 34%
with a particular focus on energy consumption on site and travel,
reducing waste by 25%, and rolling out a Chain of Custody
certification to all projects over £15m.