The Midlands Co-operative Society Limited is the second largest independent retail society in the UK and is a partner with Selly Oak School and Specialist Science College, one of the first Trust schools.
We regard our relationship with Selly Oak as one of true partnership and shared values. Selly Oak already makes a huge difference to the lives of so many young many people, their families and supporters. We are proud to be able to play a small part in that process.
Working with Selly Oak Trust School provides us with a vehicle for focusing our community activities in a particular trading area. We have relationships with many schools across our trading area, but seldom do we have the opportunity to develop that relationship in a meaningful way.
Our relationship with Selly Oak will enable us to raise our profile within forums in which our voice is seldom heard and will generate positive public relations for us both. In the competitive environment in which we operate this is clearly important to us.
By having direct input into parts of the school curriculum we can reinforce issues such as ethical trading, and help prepare students for the world of work.
Two-way work placements, work experience and joint activities will enable our staff to learn first-hand the challenges faced by staff and students alike at Selly Oak. Selly Oak staff will learn about the commercial realities of the environment in which a retailer operates.
We have much to learn from each other. For example, the commitment of Selly Oak staff to their students provides a measure of employee engagement to which most retailers can only aspire.
Our relationship is in an embryonic stage. We are still getting to know each other but we are confident there is much potential yet to be explored.
Cyrrhian Macrae, Head of community & co-operative affairs