Values into Community Action - Tyler Foundation

Values into Community Action | 2007-2008
In 2007, the fifth year of the initiative, 37 students from Bethnal Green Technology College participated in innovative
workshops resulting in a manipulation of colour in multi-panelled oil works and a diverse interpretation of the
meaning of the word “home” through the medium of clay. A&O was also invited to display a selection of Artbeat
artwork at the Window Gallery in the Canary Wharf shopping centre for four weeks during 2008.
Artbeat uses art to help break down the invisible barrier between the City and A&O’s neighbours in Tower Hamlets.
The positive impact on the students is confirmed by Rob Sommerville, the participating art teacher at Bethnal Green
Technology College: “For many of my students, the opportunities and wealth of ‘The City’ appear out of reach even
though organisations such as Allen & Overy are only a short walk away. This project allowed my students to enter
that world and helped to raise expectations of what and where they could be when they are older.”
Artbeat is co-ordinated by a team of fee-earners which includes Rachel Bravard, Lauren Warner and
Dominique Ashby, assisted by a broad cross-section of support staff, including sue smith and Leighsa Kelly,
as well as other fee-earners and support staff. Further information can be found at www.allenovery.com/artbeat.
Copies of the Artbeat catalogue are available from Rachel Bravard.
Artbeat scholarship
In the autumn/winter 2007/2008, A&O ran its Artbeat
Scholarship and Mentoring Programme, which was
first piloted in 2005/2006. This is a programme which is
funded by the A&O Foundation for Artbeat participants
and graduates who are applying to higher education
programmes in art and design, including disciplines
such as fine art, textiles, fashion, interior design and
product design. The applicants were paired with A&O
mentors who guided them on writing their personal
statements and coached them for interviews with the
Artbeat selection panel. The goal of the experience was
to assist all of the applicants to acquire the “street smarts”
of the application process. After interviewing all of the
candidates, a £5,000 scholarship was awarded to Rafia
Begum of Tower Hamlets College, conditional upon her
obtaining a place at university. To recognise the high
standards at interview that the students displayed in
the 2006/2007 programme, the 2007/2008 programme
saw the introduction of two “runner-up” awards of £500
and £250. The 2007/2008 prizes of £500 and £250 were
awarded to Anika Amrin and Stacey-Danielle Rolfe, respectively.
tOWeR HAMLets COLLeGe
Diversity Bursary
Over the next three years, A&O will award bursaries of £6,000 to six students from Tower Hamlets College (THC)
to help fund university degree courses. The scholarships will be offered to high achieving students who would find it
challenging to attend university, for social/financial reasons. David Campbell is the partner in charge of the panel
that awards these scholarships.
Placement week in July
In readiness for the Sutton Trust Pathways to Law placement week, A&O piloted a week-long placement with 10
first-year A-level students from THC. The week was designed to give students an insight into A&O, a chance to meet
and hear from trainee solicitors, associates and partners. A team building and confidence development session was
organised by our in-house Personal Learning and Development Team as well valuable time spent with our HR and
Graduate Recruitment teams.
54 © Allen & Overy LLP 2008