Schools Programmes : Parents In Enterprise

Parents In Enterprise

A unique work-related learning programme designed to engage both students and parents and help them turn their ideas into business propositions.

Through a fast paced first stage to the programme students learn team working, communication and problem solving skills and then build on this with enterprising and entrepreneurial skills to the conclusion.

During the morning students work in teams, first of all on a trading challenge, where they consider issues of start-up loans, interest on those loans, supply and demand, profit and loss, labour costs and changing market conditions. They then work on a design brief to maximise a production process in a sweet factory. The morning ends with students coming up with a list of new business ideas and each team choosing one of them to develop for the rest of the day.

Teams allocate roles such as MD, Sales and Marketing, Operations and Financial Director. They work up their business case, including branding, marketing, financial forecasts, and their “dragon’s den” presentation.

An imaginative process challenges students to generate ‘The Big Idea’ and then provides the tools to turn those ideas into formal business plans. Parents are introduced as ‘consultants’ to help the students to challenge and ‘fine tune’ their ideas and polish presentations for final critical assessment.

Clear templates are provided to guide students through the programme. Parents receive briefing notes to help them make a positive contribution and feel comfortable with the process of helping their children.

The day concludes with the presentation of prizes for a range of achievements.

Our programme will give your students:

• an introduction to enterprise, entrepreneurism and the economy
• an explanation about profit and its importance to sustaining businesses and jobs
• the experience of enterprise-based challenges to reinforce key life skills of problem solving, team working & communication
• the opportunity to take responsibility for their own actions, engage in real issues and evaluate the outcomes of their decisions
• the opportunity to work collaboratively with parents and learn from each other

Additionally, your students will learn:

• what qualities employers really value in their staff
• the importance of having a positive attitude
• why taking responsibility for personal development will help prepare students for the world of work

Overall the programme involves students:

• learning how to turn business ideas into action
• engaging with their parents in a unique way where both gain a greater insight into each other’s abilities
• communicating and working together collaboratively in non-friendship teams, solving problems and completing practical team challenges

Next Steps

Consultancy support is available for taking the embryo business plans further.

Year Group

This programme was originally designed for Year 10 students, but through experimentation has been found to be suitable for all age groups with material tailored to suit the ability level and understanding.

The programme can also be run with mixed age groups, although more facilitation is required with mixed age groups.

Numbers

30 students plus 30 adults is the recommended number.

Equipment

Laptop and digital camera for each team involved.