Grantown Grammar School Business Breakfast: Connecting Education and Industry

This week, Grantown Grammar School hosted a successful Business Breakfast, bringing together 28 local businesses and organisations to explore innovative ways to collaborate with teaching staff. The event was an opportunity for both educators and business leaders to discuss how they can work together to bring the school curriculum to life and create more engaging, real-world learning experiences for students.

Organised by Debbie Khadi, DYW School Coordinator and Ruairidh Ross, the school’s DYW Lead, the Business Breakfast fostered meaningful conversations around skills development and industry engagement. Teachers were encouraged to think ahead about the types of business partnerships that would most benefit their students, with a particular focus on aligning classroom activities with the skills needed in the workforce. This forward-thinking approach was key in ensuring productive discussions during the event.

The timing of the event, held on an in-service day, also allowed teachers to fully focus on building relationships with the business community without the usual pressures of a typical school day. This created an ideal environment for genuine networking and planning.

A Buzzing Atmosphere and New Connections

The atmosphere in the room was lively from the very start, with new partnerships forming and long-standing ones being strengthened. Speyside Cooperage, SaxaVord Spaceport, Quarch Technology, Cairngorm Brewery, Strathspey Tours, Grantown Hub, Young Enterprise Scotland, and Growbiz were just a few of the businesses that made significant connections with teaching staff.

Notably, the event welcomed former pupils Lexie Murray and Ben Morrison. Representing The Cairn Distillery and Morrison Lawn & Landscaping, they serve as role models for students, illustrating the diverse career paths available locally. Lexie’s involvement didn’t end with the breakfast—she’s set to conduct a barista training session with students at the school’s new coffee kiosk, which was generously sponsored by DYW Inverness & Central Highland.

Presentations and Networking

The event began on the right note with an engaging presentation from Kimberley and Ross of Academy9 (the educational arm of the A9 dualling project), who highlighted their own varied programme of engagement with schools and how and why it works, setting the tone for productive discussions. Attendees expressed their enthusiasm for the opportunity to network not just with school staff but with each other. Many commented on the effectiveness of the “stalls” set up by different departments, which showcased the skills they aim to develop in their students and the types of businesses they hope to collaborate with.

Debbie Khadi, DYW School Coordinator, was happy with how the event went, saying, "It was inspiring to see the level of enthusiasm from both teachers and businesses. This kind of collaboration is vital for showing students the many different career paths available to them, and today’s event really highlighted how eager local businesses are to engage with education and invest in the future workforce."

Future Plans and Continued Collaboration

With the success of the Business Breakfast, there is already talk of organising a DYW Week at the school to continue the momentum of industry engagement. Both businesses and educators left the event inspired and energised by the potential to enhance students’ learning experiences through local partnerships.

The participation of businesses like Grantown Hub, Craig MacLean Leisure Centre, SSPCA, Hydrasun, NHS Adult & Social Care, Parklands Care Homes, Frontier Science, Wilderness Scotland, RSPB Abernethy, Balfour Beatty, and many more highlighted the breadth of opportunities available to young people in the region.

The morning was rounded off with some excellent conversations, meaningful connections, and a little something extra - bacon rolls and croissants to fuel the day’s success.

Looking Forward

As Grantown Grammar School continues to strengthen ties between education and industry, this Business Breakfast serves as a fantastic example of what can be achieved when businesses, educators, and former pupils come together to inspire and equip the next generation. Watch this space for future developments, including the potential launch of a dedicated DYW Week!