Mentors from business give pupils lesson in world of work

Schools in Westminster will be paired up with businesses in a bid to boost results and make students more employable.

Pupils will benefit from expertise given by staff from companies including Visa and Prudential. Teachers will be given advice on school budgets and leadership. Children's Minister Sarah Teather has previously urged bankers to give state pupils access to the "old school tie" network.

Under the new scheme, run by charity Business in the Community, six schools will work with firms for three years. Staff will mentor individual pupils, giving mock interviews and career guidance. The project is based on a scheme in Hackney where staff from UBS work with the Bridge Academy. Elizabeth Phillips, head of St Marylebone C of E, one of the schools involved, said: "It is vitally important that we prepare students for the real world of work."