BUDMOUTH Technology College has scooped an award and cash boost for its good practice in engaging local businesses to assist with pupils’ studies.

It has been named a Centre of Excellence for Employer Engagement by the local education authority and won funding to assist other secondary schools in Dorset in developing similar models.

The accolade coincides with the school being chosen as a Leadership and Innovation Academy (LIA) hub school for the South West by the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust (SSAT).

As an LIA hub, Budmouth will provide a base for high-quality training in the region for all Dorset primary and secondary schools that choose to get involved.

Budmouth’s director of enterprise Marcel Ciantar said: “It’s quite special for the college to have these two awards.

“The Centre of Excellence award is not to say ‘Do what we’re doing’. It’s about saying ‘This works for us – let’s see how we can help you to achieve the same end result’ although we may go about it differently.”

Kathy Crosswell, Dorset County Council’s 14-19 manager said: “We are delighted that Budmouth College has been awarded the status of South West Regional Hub for Leadership and Innovation.

“This gives them the opportunity to share, through their Centre of Excellence, the good practice of bringing business and education together through the curriculum in innovative and beneficial ways.”

Schools interested in taking advantage of the funding to develop their employer engagement can call Marcel Ciantar on 01305 830505.