An Ulverston firm is helping a South Lakes school benefit from innovative enterprise initiatives.

Mike Jeschke, of Siemens, is the new enterprise adviser for John Ruskin School in Coniston.

The collaboration was set up two months ago, via Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership’s Enterprise Adviser Network.

Mike has helped to introduce participation in First Lego League, an international competition which aims to enthuse students about artificial intelligence.

As part of this, significant work is being completed with girls in years nine and 10 to dispel the myth that STEM subjects are “just for boys”.

There are also plans to set up a clean energy club.

Headteacher Peter Blackburn, said: “The link with Siemens is a really exciting development for us as a school.

“The plans we have worked on together will allow our students to benefit from a huge range of opportunities and ensure that they are in the best possible position to make informed decisions about their future.

“We are already starting to see the benefits in terms of activities the students can now access and look forward to the development opportunities it will continue to present for our students.”

Mike added: “We are delighted to be involved in the initiative as it ensures that we are part of a local network of employers who engage and encourage involvement in activities at a local school in our area.

“This helps us to build strong working relationships with schools and colleges, ensures that we give back to our community, provides a better understanding of the local education sector and helps to develop our local business network.

This is a win-win for Siemens.”

The network is central to Cumbria Careers Hub, which was launched in January.

The careers hub aims to strengthen meaningful encounters with employers in schools and colleges. Working with Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership and The Careers and Enterprise Company, it supports 40 secondary schools across Cumbria to deliver world-class careers education.

Under the enterprise adviser scheme, local senior business volunteers are matched with a school and they work closely together to empower young people to make informed decisions about their future and link the school with valuable business contacts.

Alison Beard, enterprise co-ordinator at Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “It is fantastic to see the initial success that Siemens and John Ruskin have had.

“I am really excited to see what John Ruskin and Siemens achieve together throughout the rest of the academic year. I also look forward to seeing new successful Enterprise Adviser partnerships, helping both local schools and colleges and employers to thrive.”

The Enterprise Adviser Network invites senior business volunteers to give around eight hours a month to a specific school or college and work strategically to strengthen and support career programmes.