The FT Reading Group, a scheme using Financial Times journalism to improve school students’ knowledge of current affairs and business issues, has extended its work from London to Birmingham. The group includes a network of volunteers from the FT and Deutsche Bank who spend time reading and discussing FT articles to students.
Since Deutsche Bank launched the scheme with London’s Cambridge Heath Sixth Form in 2012, the FT Reading Group has expanded into 16 schools and colleges across the city and now benefits students at two sixth forms in Birmingham. The project is also launching at London Thunder in South East London: a new project offering alternative education to local 14-16 year olds at risk of being excluded from school.
The scheme is enjoyed by volunteers and students alike: “I never thought I would enjoy reading a newspaper – but I do!,” a student in Year 12 Cambridge Heath College commented. An FT Reading Group volunteer added, “It’s highly rewarding and enjoyable knowing that in a small way you’re shaping the next generation of professionals”.
Darcy Keller, FT’s global communications director, said: “The FT Reading Group is an important part of our corporate social responsibility programme, which supports education and literacy. It is one of several FT initiatives focused on equipping students with real world knowledge, understanding and perspective as they pursue their education and professional aspirations. The scheme also supports Project Literacy, a new Pearson campaign dedicated to building a more literate world”.
Lareena Hilton, Global Head of Brand Communications & Corporate Citizenship for Deutsche Bank, said: “Our Born to Be youth engagement programme helps young people to realise their potential. Working in partnership with the Financial Times, our employee volunteers enhance student’s current affairs knowledge and international perspective, improving their career prospects, confidence and aspirations”.
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For further information please contact:
UK/EMEA:
Harriet Constable
Communications Assistant
T: +44 (0) 207 873 4241
E: harriet.constable@ft.com
About the Financial Times:
The Financial Times, one of the world’s leading business news organisations, is recognised internationally for its authority, integrity and accuracy. Providing essential news, comment, data and analysis for the global business community, the FT has a combined paid print and digital circulation of 690,000 (Deloitte assured, Q3 2014). Mobile is an increasingly important channel for the FT, driving 60 per cent of subscriber consumption, almost 50 per cent of total traffic and 20 per cent of new digital subscriptions. FT education products now serve two thirds of the world’s top 50 business schools. For news about the FT follow @FTPressOffice.
About Deutsche Bank:
Deutsche Bank invests directly in the societies in which it operates. Around the world, the bank enables educational, social and cultural projects that build social capital and bring about positive change. Deutsche Bank and its foundations are among the world’s active corporate citizens investing over EUR78.2m in social projects and around 24% of employees in volunteering opportunities every year.
Born to Be is part of Deutsche Bank’s corporate citizenship strategy focused on education and enabling talent. In the UK, Born to Be seeks to break the cycle of youth unemployment through early intervention. It targets 11-18 year olds at risk of exclusion with education-led projects that aim to increase achievement, develop employability skills and raise aspirations.