In our latest blog, ORB managing director Stewart Olsen shares his passion for education and details of an exciting new role as a non-executive director of Exceed Learning Partnership.
Exceed Learning Partnership improves the life chances of all children so to be joining the Board of Directors at the organisation is a privilege for me. I’m passionate about helping young people seize opportunities for success and realise their own potential and also tremendously excited about supporting the Trust with their mission to expand the horizons of children and give back to the local community.
Exceed Learning Partnerships has five schools in Doncaster - Carr Lodge Academy, Edlington Victoria Academy, Hill Top Academy, Sandringham Primary School and Sheep Dip Lane Academy.
As part of my non-executive director role, I will offer my business experience to support growth strategy, audit processes and financial management of the Trust. Hopefully, I will also be able to utilise some of my network to involve children in charities and activities outside of their own villages to show them some of the wider world and the fantastic things Doncaster has to offer.
Access to good education is important to me, and the Trust generally operates in areas where local communities have been somewhat neglected or underfunded, which is generally ex-mining communities. The knock-on effect is that schools and the level of education in these areas have historically been poor.
Exceed are changing this through providing access to good education and schooling systems in these areas, helping develop the next generation and giving them the opportunity to achieve rather than be left behind.
Having grown up in an ex-mining community myself and seen first hand the level of education available and lack of opportunities, it's important to me that everyone regardless of background gets the chance to succeed, starting from primary and upwards into their working life.
Hopefully, I can steer some change for the better from the ground up by joining the Trust, championing and supporting improvement of the region through ORB from different angles. I’m really excited to get started!
Find our more information about Exceed Learning Partnership at: https://www.exceedlearningpartnership.co.uk/