Beyond academic achievement, schools play a vital role in building confidence, developing life skills and creating opportunities for future generations.
Hospitality and education share a common purpose: equipping people with the skills and confidence they need to succeed. For generations, pubs, bars and hospitality businesses have acted as informal classrooms, helping young people develop communication, teamwork, resilience and leadership skills from the very start of their careers. Many of today’s industry leaders took their first steps into the world of work through hospitality, learning lessons that stayed with them long after their first shift.
As we see a trend towards declining graduate jobs (source: BBC/Adzuna 24/08/26), the role of hospitality in the professional development of young people looks set to only increase in importance. The early career development and training of people entering the work force for the first time is perhaps an under communicated value of our industry to wider society, and something that should be celebrated and supported.
As entry level roles evolve, establishing stronger connections between schools and hospitality businesses may well be a great opportunity for our sector and of vital importance in creating meaningful pathways into employment for young people. At the Licensed Trade Charity (LTC), for more than 230 years, education has long been embedded within our mission to support licensed hospitality people and their families.
Many people know LTC for the practical advice, wellbeing support and financial assistance we provide to people working across pubs, bars, breweries and the wider licensed hospitality sector. Yet education has also been central to our story, enabling us to support young people and families while creating lasting social impact alongside our charitable work.
What is perhaps less widely known is that education has been part of that story for almost as long. Since opening our first school in 1803, we have believed in the transformative power of education. Today, through LTC Education Group, we continue that commitment across five schools: LVS Ascot, LVS Hassocks, LVS Oxford, Kennington School and, most recently, Claires Court.
Stability and support
The beginning of a new academic year is a reminder that education is one of the most powerful investments we can make. It creates opportunity, unlocks potential and helps young people develop the confidence and skills they need to thrive. Just as importantly, it provides stability and support for families and communities.
That is why we are incredibly proud to see LTC Education Group continuing to grow.
Earlier this year, Claires Court School joined our family of schools, strengthening our ability to deliver exceptional education while supporting the long-term sustainability of the charity. This follows the acquisition of our new site in Hampshire, which will become Kennington School, a specialist autism school that is expected to welcome pupils from January 2027.
Together, these additions mark an exciting new chapter for LTC Education Group and demonstrate our commitment to delivering ambitious, inclusive and life-changing education. What unites all our schools is a shared belief that every young person deserves the opportunity to reach their potential.
The impact extends far beyond the classroom. As a charity, our education group demonstrates how social purpose and long-term sustainability can go hand in hand. Income generated through our schools is reinvested directly into the LTC, helping us continue our work supporting people across the licensed hospitality sector.
That income provides vital funding for the grants, services and wellbeing support we deliver, enabling us to support thousands of people each year with practical advice, financial assistance and health and wellbeing resources when they need them most.
Sustainable income streams
At a time when many charities are facing increasing demand and growing pressure on resources, creating sustainable income streams is more important than ever.
Our schools enable us to do exactly that, generating income through activities that are themselves delivering significant social value. It also allows us to continue investing in educational opportunities for licensed hospitality families for generations to come, including a 20% discount on fees at LVS Ascot for eligible families, alongside scholarships and means-tested bursaries that help make high-quality education accessible to those who would otherwise be unable to access it.
Working in hospitality can be incredibly rewarding but, like many sectors, it can also present financial challenges for families. We believe talented young people should have access to opportunities regardless of circumstance.
Education and hospitality share in their ability to nurture potential, instil resilience and open doors for the next generation.
As established routes into work evolve, our industry has a vital duty to champion young people as they transition from formal education into their long-term careers. By bridging the gap between classroom learning and practical, real-world skills, hospitality has a role in cultivating the confident leaders, innovators, and team players of tomorrow.
At the LTC, we remain dedicated to this dual mission: unleashing potential through education while ensuring our hospitality workforce and their families always have a supportive foundation upon which to grow, thrive and succeed.
