A new initiative to help fund new educational projects was launched in Wymondham on Monday.

Chartered surveyor and auctioneer TW Gaze is challenging parents, teachers, students and alumni of Wymondham College and Wymondham High Academy to develop their selling skills to raise funds for new school educational projects.

The Gaze to the Future project will see the firm donate 10pc of each commission generated from a house sale by immediate family of students and staff at the schools, as well as alumni at both schools, over the next six months to fund a specific project chosen by the students.

Wymondham High Academy will benefit from an internet cafe and an all-weather shelter for students waiting for buses, while Wymondham College will raise funds towards improving external landscaping by providing 'outside classrooms' for use in good weather to improve the speed and efficiency of students getting to and from their lessons.

TW Gaze rural partner Rachael Hipperson said: 'As a former Wymondham College student, I'm delighted to give something back and also work with another top school in Wymondham High Academy.

'I would like to think that we could give the school a cheque for �10,000. We are very grateful to the schools for working with us and we are looking forward to seeing the results.'

Justin Smith, director of enterprise and community at Wymondham High Academy said: 'Collaborating with TW Gaze is an exciting prospect for the Academy, providing us with a unique way of engaging with our local community and local businesses whilst helping to raise funds towards new school facilities and two worthwhile projects identified by our students, namely an internet cafe and an all weather shelter for students waiting for buses. We are delighted that the initiative can benefit the school in this way.'

Wymondham College principal, Melyvn Roffe said the project was an imaginative way for schools to work with local businesses.

'Wymondham College has grown by nearly 30pc in the last five years and we have been looking at ways in which we can improve the environment around our new buildings to make them more attractive and provide a better learning environment for students. This will help us do this and provide a commemorative focal point for our Central Quadrangle which will link to the recent 60th Anniversary Celebrations at the College,' he said.

TW Gaze is launching the project following its recent new office opening in Wymondham.