Women in Property: students discover the Ladies Bridge
8 August 2014 - TABLET EDITION|ByFelicity Francis
The Association of Women in Property is using history to engage schoolchildren.
Finding a way to engage students in the myriad career opportunities offered by real estate isn’t straightforward. It isn’t enough for initiatives to be fun; they also need to tie in with the UK national curriculum. However, The Association of Women in Property (WiP) has come up with a project so successful it is now in its fourth year at LilianBaylis Technology School in Kennington, London.
Titled ‘The Ladies Bridge’, the project uses the story of Waterloo Bridge (known as the Ladies Bridge), which was built by women during World War II, to engage children.
“We take a creative approach to engaging teachers and students, using the history curriculum as the access point rather than technology, which enables us to communicate effectively with 11- and 12-year-olds of all abilities and interests,” says Sandi Rhys Jones, head of WiP’s mentoring scheme.
“We use storytelling and exploration to link the World War II account of the Ladies Bridge construction with the wealth of buildings and development all around them in London, plus give them the opportunity to engage directly with the WiP volunteers who reflect the huge variety and opportunity offered by the property sector.”
“Our members have a real sense of wanting to ‘give back’ on both a professional and a personal level,” adds Fiona Alfred, executive director of WiP. “Engaging with their employers on initiatives such as The Ladies Bridge project gives them an opportunity to really make a difference by inspiring youngsters; opening their eyes to the wide range of career options available in property and construction.”
The first day took place in December 2010 and involved a group of 62 students. It has since been repeated in 2012, 2013 and 2014 with larger groups of students.
Following the latest Ladies Bridge event, Gary Phillips, head teacher of LilianBaylis Technology School, said: “Contact with real professionals is absolutely vital for our students if they are to have their aspirations widened and nurtured. This is what our partnership with WiP does and why it is so important to us.”
WiP is keen to keep the scheme’s momentum going and expand it to other schools. “WiP would welcome the opportunity to roll out this successful project more widely,” says Aldred. “We invite input and funding from others to develop the Ladies Bridge template for other cities in the UK.