WHSmith has been named as a finalist in the Business in the Community Awards for Excellence 2003, the UK's most prestigious national awards for companies able to demonstrate the positive impact of their business on society through community programmes and business practices.
Nominated for its community programme WHSmith TXT, WHSmith is among only six companies to be a finalist in the Education and Lifelong Learning category. The awards are supported by influential partners including the Financial Times and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
WHSmith TXT was developed by WHSmith to help teachers to improve literacy standards among 11-to 14-year-olds in some of the most challenging secondary schools across the UK. The three-year, £1.5 million community-investment programme, which operates in 104 selected secondary schools, was designed with the help of teachers, educationalists, the DfES and the Scottish Executive Education Department.
Commenting today Richard Handover, Chief Executive, WHSmith said:
"We are delighted to be one of the finalists for this prestigious award. Our commitment to education is reflected in our programme of community involvement. We strongly believe WHSmith has an important and valuable role to play in the community and are focusing our efforts on WHSmith TXT, a community-investment programme helping to make a real difference to literacy standards in schools and to the confidence of the students involved."
To mark the company's achievements, the DTI will formally present WHSmith with its Big Tick Mark at an event held at Lancaster House, London on Thursday 12 June 2003. The Big Tick Mark can only be used by companies that have reached a measurable standard of excellence illustrating its position as an 'Example of Best Practice' in the field of corporate responsibility.
Julia Cleverdon, CVO, CBE, Chief Executive of Business in the Community said:
"Companies achieving the Big Tick in our Awards for Excellence should be very proud of their achievement. I congratulate them all as examples of best practice. They have come through a rigorous and independently assured assessment process and have emerged as truly inspiring case studies delivering great benefit to wider society through their programmes and partnerships. We will enthusiastically use them to encourage other companies to improve their positive impact on society."
See Notes to Editors
Notes to Editors:
WH Smith PLC
WHSmith is one of the UK's leading retailing groups, incorporating market-leading companies in retail, publishing and news distribution. WHSmith UK Retail employs over 19,000 people and is made up of 553 high street stores, 220 travel stores and WHSmith.co.uk, serving customers on the internet world-wide.
WHSmith TXT
The programme has two key elements. Firstly, WHSmith provides each participating secondary school with £4,000 worth of books, magazines and Educational Achievement Rewards each year, for a three-year period, absolutely free. Secondly, the programme encourages the development of mutually beneficial links between each school and their local WHSmith store. These links aim to support the sharing of skills between teachers and store staff through a range of activities including volunteer reading programmes, work placements and presentations.
Business in the Community Awards for Excellence
The results of Business in the Community's Awards for Excellence 2003 will be announced at a Gala Dinner, sponsored by ScottishPower, to be held on Thursday 10 July 2003.
Schools Participating in WHSmith TXT
WHSmith Store Location, followed by School name
ENGLAND
Barrow, Alfred Barrow School
Bath, St Mark's School
Bedford, Biddenham School
Bexleyheath, Bexleyheath School
Birmingham, Sheldon Heath Community School
Blackburn, Queen's Park Community Technology College
Blackpool, St George's High School
Bluewater Park, Wilmington Hall School
Bolton. Smithhills School
Bournemouth, Kings High School
Bradford (Kirkgate), Carlton-Bolling College
Brent Cross, Whitefield School
Brighton, Falmer High School
Bristol (Galleries), St George Community College
Bromley, Malory School
Bury St Edmunds, County Upper School
Cambridge, Coleridge Community College
Canterbury, Chaucer Technology School
Carlisle, St Aidan's School
Chatham, Medway Community College
Cheltenham (High Street), Cheltenham Kingsmead School
Chester, Blacon High School
Chesterfield, Parkside Community School
Coventry, Sidney Stringer Comm Tech College
Crawley, Thomas Bennett Community College
Cribbs Causeway, Filton High School
Croydon, Selhurst High School for Boys
Darlington, Haughton Community School
Derby, Bemrose Community School
Didcot, St Birinus School
Doncaster, Campsmount School
Dudley (Merry Hill), Pensnett School of Technology
Exeter, St James' High School
Gateshead (Metro Centre), Thomas Hepburn Community School
Gloucester, Beaufort Community School
Grimsby, Havelock School
Guildford, Kings College
Hanley, Stoke on Trent, Mitchell High School
Haringey (Wood Green), White Hart Lane School
Harlow, Brays Grove School
Harrogate, Harrogate Granby High School
Hereford, Haywood High School
High Wycombe, Highcrest Community School
Hull (Prospect Centre), Endeavour High School
Ilford. Loxford School of Science and Technology
Ipswich. Westbourne High School
Kings Lynn. The Park High School
Kingston Upon Thames. The Hollyfield School
Leeds, Agnes Stewart C of E High School
Leicester (Shires), Moat Community College
Lewisham, Deptford Green School
Lincoln, Joseph Ruston Techonology College
Liverpool, Campion Catholic High School
Luton, South Luton High School
Maidstone, Oldborough Manor Community School
Manchester (Arndale), Broadoak High School
Middlesbrough, Unity City Academy
Milton Keynes, Sir Frank Markham Community School
Nations House (London HO), Islington Green School
Newcastle Upon Tyne, Benfield School
Newport, Isle of Wight, Medina High School
Northampton, Lings Upper School
Norwich (Gentleman's Walk), Earlham High School
Nottingham (Listergate), Elliott Durham School
Oxford, Peers School
Peterborough, Hereward Community College
Portsmouth, St Luke's School
Plymouth, Parkside Community Technology College
Reading, Thamesbridge College
Romford, King's Wood School
Sheffield, Waltheof School
Solihull (Birmingham), Yardleys School
Southampton, Chamberlayne Park School
Southend on Sea, The Thorpe Bay School
Swindon, The Headlands School
Thurrock, Torells School
Truro/Camborne, Camborne School & Community College
Tunbridge Wells, Tunbridge Wells High School
Wakefield, Wakefield City High School
Warrington, William Beaumont Community School
Watford (Harlequin), Westfield Community Tech College
Weston Super Mare. Broadoak Community School
Wolverhampton, Deansfield High School
Worcester, Elgar Technology College
York, Canon Lee School
WALES
Bangor, Ysgol Friars
Cardiff, Glyn Derw High School
Newport (Gwent), Duffryn High School
Swansea, Dylan Thomas Community School
Wrexham, Groves High School
SCOTLAND
Aberdeen (St Nicholas), St Machar Academy
Argyle Street (Glasgow), Hillhead High School
Ayr, Mainholm Academy
Dundee, Lawside RC Academy
Dunfermline, Woodmill High School
East Kilbride, St Bride's High School
The Gyle, Forrester High School
Hamilton, John Ogilvie High School
Inverness, Inverness High School
Livingston, Armadale Academy
Paisley, Castlehead High School
Perth, St Columba's High School
NORTHERN IRELAND
Belfast,Orangefield High School
Belfast, St Gemma's Girls' High School