Awareness of enterprise

Summary - this case study shows how a group of schools have used their City Learning Centre effectively to raise awareness of enterprise among pupils.     

Introduction

The Enterprise partnership consists of three Sefton secondary schools: Savio Catholic High School, Meols Cop High School, and Manor High School working with the North Sefton City Learning Centre (NSCLC). The aim of this partnership is to raise awareness of enterprise amongst a group of pupils, 3 from each school.

Activity

We were in discussion with the newly appointed Enterprise Advisor over the best way to develop the enterprise agenda in partner schools.  We decided that we would develop a multi-agency approach that could be tried at the North Sefton CLC and then rolled out to all schools.

Who it was aimed at

We hoped that the three children we invited from each school would gain an increased awareness of enterprise.  However, the main target was the accompanying teachers who had responsibility for the Enterprise agenda.  They gained an appreciation of the day by both observing their pupils at work, but also by completing the work themselves.

What we did

The pupils were divided up into mixed teams; we decided to keep the teachers together.  Their task was to create a car advertising campaign.  These were parked outside and time was allocated for the groups to inspect the product and contemplate its unique selling points and target audience.

The campaign had to be completed within a strict budget and in limited time which had to be scheduled in a business plan.  On returning from the cars, the groups had to sign up for a series of seminars on marketing, and business planning, as well as those offering technical skills such as using the radio and video studios.

We deliberately swamped the teams with options.  This was to encourage prioritisation and multi-tasking within the team.

At midday the groups were allowed to book their resources and create their campaign.

Their final task was to show their wares to the panel of judges and explain the underlying business plan.

Resources used

1) Facilities

We used the facilities of the CLC.  These included the radio and video studios as well as the ICT suites.  Having the cars was a huge boost to the excitement of the delegates.

2) Materials

3) People

This was a multi-agency approach within the partnership.  We therefore worked with the Gifted and Talented Coordinator and South Sefton CLC as well as the Enterprise Advisor.  The cars were provided by Daimler Chrysler Fleet Hire.  The company also provided staff to offer marketing expertise.

4) Time of school staff

5) Co-ordination

The scheme was coordinated by the NSCLC and the Enterprise Advisor who was the main point of contact with the schools.

6) Funding

The most expensive cost was staff time.  The cars were provided by Daimler Chrysler Fleet Hire.  Operating costs were absorbed by the NSCLC

Outcome

The feedback from the students was very positive.  The teachers were delighted with both the day and the possibilities of running similar events for year cohorts back in schools.  These could be supported by the CLC as part of its outreach work.  This has been confirmed for one school.

The success of the project permeated through the partnership.  Demand has been such that we will offer similar days for all secondary schools this year.

David Bill
Manager
North Sefton CLC
Ainsdale High School
Sandringham Road
Southport
PR8 2PJ

Tel:    01704 882070
Fax:   01704 882071
Mob:   07870 568372