Bishop Challoner Federation of Schools strikes up partnership with communications firm

Pictured with Bishop Challoner girls are (on the left) WKS Director Dowshan Humzah, Ogilvy & Mather’s Julia Ingall and (right) the school’s Executive Principal Jackie Johnson and Girls’ School Head Nick Soar

A school federation in the neighbouring borough of Tower Hamlets has formed an innovative partnership with one of the world’s largest communications groups.

Bishop Challoner Federation of Schools has announced it is to join forces with global media giants Ogilvy and Mather to give students a unique insight into the communications sector.

Ogilvy and Mather, part of the WPP group, is made up of leading companies in 120 countries across sectors including advertising, public relations, marketing and digital media.

The ‘Emerging Talent Programme’ will involve work experience for ten students, who will take up placements at the company’s Canary Wharf offices next summer.

These students will have an additional opportunity to be mentored by an Ogilvy employee for two years.

Nick Soar, Head of Bishop Challoner Girls’ School, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with such a prestigious organisation as Ogilvy.

“This partnership will help provide our students with even greater levels of aspiration, confidence and tools to take the first steps in their chosen careers.”

There are also plans for ‘Brief Days’, where groups of students will be given a chance to work with Ogilvy teams on projects, and ‘Careers Clinics’, with Ogilvy staff visiting classrooms to give advice on career related topics such as CVs, interviews and applying for jobs.

Bishop Challoner has undergone a £45m redevelopment in recent years, providing state-of-the-art buildings and facilities for the 1,500 students attending its Boys and Girls schools and Sixth Form College.

Julia Ingall, UK Group HR Director at Ogilvy and Mather, said: “Our Emerging Talent programme is designed to make young people aware of the opportunities that exist within the communications industry.

“We chose Bishop Challoner because we want to give something back to our local community in East London, where our biggest London office is located.”