What happens when young minds are given the chance to create, sell, and learn from their mistakes? You get brilliant entrepreneurs in the making, just like at Newport Primary School!
Hello everyone! If you’ve ever wondered how to ignite entrepreneurial passion in the next generation, you’re in for a treat. Sir Richard Branson, the iconic businessman behind Virgin Group, recently highlighted the incredible “Make £5 Grow” projects happening at Newport Primary School in East Yorkshire. Let’s dive into how these young students are growing their businesses with the help of £5 and a lot of creativity.
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Newport Primary’s Entrepreneurial Journey
Newport Primary School in East Yorkshire has become a beacon for fostering young entrepreneurs. The school embarked on a journey in 2020 that not only teaches valuable business lessons but also inspires a spirit of creativity, teamwork, and resilience among students. The idea behind this initiative was to give children the opportunity to run their own businesses, even if it's just with a small loan of £5. The school’s ‘Make £5 Grow’ project has since blossomed into an incredible program that engages the entire school.
The “Make £5 Grow” Project
The concept is simple: each student is loaned £5 to start a business with the aim of making that money grow. Over the years, this small initiative has expanded, with 240 students involved in various creative business ventures. These range from making and selling jewelry, artisan soaps, and baked goods to offering services like car washing, candy floss, and even ice cream stalls. The children run their own businesses from start to finish, learning key skills such as budgeting, teamwork, and problem-solving.
| Business Idea | Products & Services | Key Skills Learned |
|---|---|---|
| Jewelry & Craftmaking | Handmade jewelry, art pieces | Design, craftsmanship, marketing |
| Food Stalls | Bakes, candy floss, ice cream | Teamwork, sales, customer service |
Student Experiences and Creativity
The students' experiences are as diverse as the projects they create. From baking delicious treats to setting up creative stalls, each student has a chance to take on various roles within their business, fostering essential skills for their future. The best part? The students are genuinely invested in what they’re doing, taking pride in their products and seeing the fruits of their labor when people buy what they've made.
- “The best part was seeing people love what we made.” – A Year 6 student
- “It felt amazing to be in charge of our own little business. We learned so much and had loads of fun.” – Another Year 6 student
- A wide range of products, from jewelry to food stalls, reflects the students' creative minds at work.
FAQ
The project began in 2020 when a planned school trip was cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions. Instead, the school turned the trip's funding into an entrepreneurial challenge, sparking the idea of the "Make £5 Grow" project.
Entrepreneurship helps children build crucial life skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, and resilience. It encourages them to think creatively and independently while learning about money management in a hands-on environment.
Students have created a variety of businesses, including jewelry and crafts, homemade baked goods, candy floss stands, ice cream stalls, and even car washing services.
The students have gained valuable entrepreneurial skills, such as managing finances, creating products, and handling customer interactions. Most importantly, they’ve learned the importance of persistence and teamwork.
Parents and the community have been overwhelmingly supportive. The projects have not only raised funds for the school but have also helped build stronger community ties as local businesses and families come together to support the children’s ventures.
Yes, the school plans to continue this initiative, as it has proven to be a highly effective way to teach entrepreneurial skills while fostering creativity and a sense of accomplishment in students.
As we wrap up this incredible journey through Newport Primary School’s entrepreneurial journey, it's clear that teaching young minds how to think like entrepreneurs is a powerful way to prepare them for the future. The "Make £5 Grow" project not only sparks creativity but also instills the values of hard work, resilience, and teamwork in children. I’m excited to see where these future business leaders will go, and I believe that initiatives like this can change the way we educate children worldwide.
If you’re looking to inspire your own children or students, think about starting small, like Newport Primary did. Sometimes, the simplest ideas spark the most amazing journeys. Who knows? Maybe the next great entrepreneur is already in your classroom!