Model Experience Visit Leeds School

LEEDS MODELS' NEW VENTURE IS 'JUST THE JOB' FOR SCHOOL LEAVERS
STUDENTS in West Yorkshire are being inspired into becoming 'model pupils' - as part of a ground-breaking initiative designed to hit back at claims that the nation's school leavers are unfit to work.
Teenagers across Leeds and Bradford are among the first to benefit from the new venture launched by Yorkshire models Matt Bates and Sean Hopwood.
It aims to banish slovenly behaviour - and drive up standards - among students in schools and colleges by taking skills learned from the catwalk and placing them in the classroom.
"Educational standards and school leavers' fitness to work has been thrust under the media spotlight in the last 24 hours," said Matt, aged 37, from Cookridge, Leeds. His 18-year modelling career at Nemesis model agency has seen him travelling the world working for the likes of Berghaus, Armani, Henri Lloyd and Adidas.
"Schools in West Yorkshire are bucking the trend and introducing new approaches - such as ours - to improve social mobility and give their students the best possible career chances.
"They are turning to us in ever-increasing numbers to give their students new skills, greater confidence, and an inside rack on how to make a positive impassion - both in and out of the classroom."
The two friends met at a celebrity fashion show in Roundhay Park, Leeds, when the Bollywood Oscar Awards came to Yorkshire four years ago.
They launched The Model Experience to fill a gap in the market, with the original aim of adding an extra dimension for the growing number of hen parties looking to try do something different on their weekends away.
Since then, their idea has captured the imagination of a growing number of Yorkshire businesses who are drawing upon the duo's skills and insight of the model industry as a way of boosting staff morale and improving confidence at team-building days.
Now, the formula is being transferred into the classroom as a way of improving behaviour and equipping students with new and practical life skills, giving students from all backgrounds access to greater opportunities.
The sessions help students understand how to the sessions are titled 'innovative interview techniques and confidence building for school leavers'
and within these sessions students learn how to dress appropriately, how to dress on a budget, interview preparation, greeting techniques, how to walk with presence, the importance of first impressions, timekeeping, hot to keep a positive mental attitude, and the importance of a healthy lifestyle
"We get across serious messages in a fun and interesting way. The students can identify with us and the way we get important messages across," said Sean, aged 26*, of Radcliffe, Manchester*, who has worked for brands such as Harrods, Hugo Boss and Flannels.
"Feedback from students and teachers alike is very positive and we are taking our concept into more and more schools and colleges."