LEO Programme Director, John Hudson says of the Enterprise Academy: "My experience convinces me that developing young people's enterprise capabilities is vital if we're going to create more enterprising communities; able to adapt and make the most of opportunities whatever the economic climate. The Enterprise Academy is making a real contribution to raising the profile of enterprise with young people and embedding enterprise activities and programmes in schools across the LEO area."
The programme focused on six target schools during 2007/08. These were: the Sutton Centre Community College and The Holgate School in Ashfield; the Bolsover School and Shirebrook School in Bolsover and the Queen Elizabeth’s Endowed School and The Manor School in Mansfield. Three additional schools were then supported during 2008/09: Kirkby College in Ashfield, the Heritage Mathematics and Computing Specialist School in Bolsover and the Samworth Church Academy in Mansfield. A further three have been added for 2009/10: Ashfield School in Kirby-in-Ashfield, Frederick Gent School in South Normanton and Meden School in Mansfield.
The Enterprise Academy’s work with these schools has included enterprise-focused student workshops, enterprise training for teachers, and the creation of enterprise programmes integrated into the curriculum. The starting point has been a delivery plan, negotiated with each school that meets priorities and needs in-school as well as the LEO objectives. For example, with programmes or qualifications integrated into the curriculum, schools have decided what they want to do and no limits have then developed the supporting materials to enable teachers to focus on delivery. As part of the project all schools have access to a vast range of online resources to support their delivery of enterprise across the school with adaptations tailored to suit school needs www.equipped4enterprise.org.Activities have included a variety of enterprise challenge events with students, including an extended Enterprise Challenge Event Programme starting with events for whole year groups in school, culminating in the Enterprise Oscars during Global Entrepreneurship Week in November.
The programme has been welcomed by all participating schools. Jan Mee, Deputy Head Teacher from Bolsover school said:
“no limits have worked very hard to help us make the most of the Enterprise Academy, and have engaged and inspired our students in all of the activities, enabling them to develop a clear understanding of what enterprise is, and how they can develop enterprising skills for themselves. The school has benefited in many ways from inclusion in this project, not least because the delivery plan has been designed around our specific needs, and any challenges have been met by the company with flexibility and creative solutions.”
More importantly, young people have responded to the programme in a positive manner. Some comments from students about what they learned following enterprise workshops and events:
Yr 8 Students from Sutton Centre following an “enterprise thinking” workshop:
“I’ve managed to work well with people I don’t usually talk to.
I managed to keep on task and complete goals in time set.
I know what enterprise is.”
Yr 12 Students at Holgate School following an “entrepreneurial you” workshop:
“It takes a lot of work to be enterprising but is worth it. If you have an idea you should use it! I now know what is needed to start my own business. Confidence to do things more independently. I learned how to make more options for the future Being self employed is the future Teamwork Learning how to be enterprising To make the most of opportunities A bit more confidence speaking in front of people.” A selection of comments from Yr 10 Students from Dragons’ Den Event 2008: “Presenting something to an audience Finishing on time Taking part Working with other people Business planning Enterprising skills Organization skills Communication skills Working under pressure Confidence skills to talk to a group”
The academy has five key aims:
• to develop mutually beneficial engagement between local businesses and schools
• to develop the capacity of participating schools to deliver enterprise skills
• to embed an enterprise culture amongst students and staff
• to integrate enterprise skills across the curriculum
• to improve communications on the enterprise agenda both within, and between, schools no limits are developing and delivering the programme with LEO and the participating schools. Company founder Beverley Burton says of the Enterprise Academy: “Our vision for the enterprise academy is a beacon of good practice that delivers real benefits for individuals, schools and communities as they learn to handle uncertainty and respond positively to opportunities and change.” For further information about the programme visit www.myenterpriseacademy.org
What is LEGI? LEO is funded through Central Government by a funding stream called the Local Enterprise Growth Initiative (LEGI). LEO is currently a five-year programme worth £6.7 million, designed to encourage and support the growth and development of new and existing enterprises and improve the economy in the deprived areas of Mansfield, Ashfield and Bolsover. The Programme is based on two key concepts: · the delivery of neighbourhood level outreach support to potential and already established businesses to connect local people to new employment; · the creation of longer-term benefit through developing a new culture of local enterprise. This is delivered through three main areas of activity:
Promoting an entrepreneurial ethos; this is focused on ensuring that young people are given the awareness and skills they need in order to consider starting their own business.
Provide access to employment for local people, this will assist people who happen to live in the deprived areas of the three districts to gain access to the employment opportunities created by home grown enterprises.
Enhancing the performance of local businesses, this is focused on neighbourhood-based outreach business support and is aimed at reducing the currently high failure rate of local businesses. This will help to overcome the difficulties of small businesses engaging with business support providers.
For more information about the LEO programme visit www.leobusiness.org