Two business development consultants from Surrey are giving students at an independent all-ability school the edge thanks to a bespoke programme of business modules that will give them the tools they need to be a success when they leave school.

Keith Grainger and Paul Holmes from Sellmax, business consultants and trainers from Cobham, were at LVS Ascot on Tuesday 10th January to deliver one of the seven modules they have created as part of the LVS Advantage programme designed to leave students more prepared than most for life beyond school.

The LVS Advantage programme is open to students in Year 12 and Year 13 at the all-ability through-school, which teaches children aged 4 up to 18, and their course of modules takes them beyond the traditional curriculum to give them additional business knowledge.

Keith Grainger said: “Paul and I have always wished we had more life skills when we went into the working world, and employees are increasingly saying that they are being sent students not prepared for the world of work. We are equipping LVS Ascot students with that preparation”.

The four modules taken in Year 12 are made up of Influencing, Negotiation, Effective Written Communications and the module studied on Tuesday, Conflict Resolution. The conflict resolution module gave students the opportunity to solve a territory dispute within a company with two heads of department in dispute over who takes the bigger office. Paul Holmes said: “The office in this dispute is just symbolic – it is really about managing status and ego and how to show and impress authority on others whilst also demonstrating leadership and problem solving qualities”.

Ana Vasylyk, 16, who is a boarder at LVS Ascot said: “I am enjoying the course because it is teaching me things I won’t learn in lessons, life skills that you don’t expect to pick up at school”. Tom Cargill, 17, who settled his territory dispute amicably with Ana with a handshake (pictured) added: “I found the Influencing module really useful as it taught me new presenting skills and other valuable advice that will be useful in the future.”

In Year 13 students will go on to study Marketing, Leadership and Strategic Decision Making to complete the course which sets LVS Ascot apart from other schools. Keith Grainger said: “We work as consultants with a number of other schools but LVS Ascot is the only one doing a full masterclass of seven modules, and also full day sessions. The three Year 13 modules are also bespoke to the school so not available anywhere else”.

LVS Ascot Head of Sixth Form Paul Hodges said: “We aim to deliver a refreshing approach to independent education and the LVS Advantage programme fits that ethos – we are giving students a competitive advantage, increasing their attractiveness to employers and helping them succeed during their early careers. Competition for jobs is fierce and young people need to differentiate themselves from other applicants. We are ensuring our students do just that”.

For more information on the LVS Advantage programme go to http://bit.ly/LVSAdvantage

Based on information supplied by John Phillips.