In this increasingly competitive world we need to give our young people the best possible chance for success in life. With the world shrinking every day through better communications it is very possible to imagine that our sons and daughters will not only be competing for jobs and work with other UK hopefuls but also with those from abroad.

To equip them with the best possible education is paramount and that must include softer, non-academic, skills as well as a traditional academic schooling. Those young people who approach life with a positive will to succeed, who have a vision for where they are going, who know how to make the best impression on others, who know how to get on with everyone they meet, who know how to spot opportunities and use them, who know how to cope with the stresses the world will throw at them and remain confident in their own abilities, will undoubtedly be better off than those who don't know these things.

Some people are naturally great at these things already, others not so, however they can all be learnt.