The Enterprise Leaders Group are now working well together and
this led to the organisation of the Christmas Community Fayre in
the main hall at the Hucknall Lane site. Each BizCom hosted their
own trade stand and there was an eye-watering range of Christmas
gifts as well as innovative competitions.
I believe that each BizCom turned a profit (some, very healthy
profits) - but, the important thing was the experience that each
student had. Watching some very creative selling techniques towards
the end of the event, the enthusiasm and energy that the students
put into the event was very rewarding for all who attended.
Global Entrepreneurship Week (16-20 November) led to a number of
projects including Booth's 'Who am I'? week of events. Students
were encouraged to think about friendship and what makes a good
friend.
During the Week, year 8 academy students had their first
experience of business start-up by taking part in the Make Your
Mark Challenge. Boot, Booth and Bonington business communities put
forward teams as did the sixth form. The challenge required
students to consider an environmentally sustainable business which
would be of value to the local community.
The diverse responses comprised a CineTent to be sited in
Bulwell market place, a community bakery, bike repair centre and
solar powered street lamps. The academy hosted the regional finals
of the Challenge later in November, with 16 teams competing for one
place in the National finals. The standards were very high and the
winning team from Leicester had designed a food dye method to
enable branding onto confectionary products, hence negating the
need for packaging.
The Young Enterprise Company programme is now underway with year
10 students from Bowden having launched their business 'Pets
Paradise'. The original plan was to make and sell dog jackets and
accessories. Like other ambitious fledgling businesses, there have
been boardroom squabbles over leadership, roles and core business
uncertainty have resulted in a turbulent time.
The project will be restructured in the new year and opened up
to any year 10 students who wish to develop their business acumen.
I have a very positive attitude to what we've seen happen - this is
the first time these students have experienced this sort of role;
lessons have been learnt, and, importantly - it's the journey, not
the destination that matters.
The Sixth Form Career Academy in Hospitality & Catering is
showing very positive signs. Our students have settled well into
their role of school leaders. We went to London to meet with Sally
Crabb, Creative Director for Imagination (the largest privately
owned design company in Europe).
Following a tour of amazing city-centre offices, we were all
given a first-hand insight into brand management. Imagination's
clients include a wealth of global leaders such as Samsung, Aston
Martin, Guinness, the BBC, etc. A 'behind the scenes' explanation
of the digital wrap around the BT Tower for the launch of the 2012
Olympics was fascinating. This was followed by lunch on The
Embankment and an afternoon conference at the National Youth
Theatre. A quick bit of retail therapy in Covent Garden in the
evening, rounded off an excellent day.
The Career Academy Business Advisory Board is growing in number
and we have recently been joined by Dominc Hayer, Managing
Director/owner of the Goosedale Conference Centre who brings his
event management expertise to our group. The Career Academy sixth
form students organised an excellent Christmas lunch for the BABAB,
Graham, Scott, Mark and me. Under the experienced eye of Ashley
Stapleton, the group had their first 'hands-on' experience of
hosting a special event.
Linking our business and enterprise activity to the local
community is of great importance to us at Bulwell Academy and we
continue to work closely with the EAZ team to build these links.
The new Bulwell Joint Services Centre will draw together many local
support services and include the job centre and library. Students
from the Boot BizCom learnt about photography and took cameras out
to the Bulwell Bogs area, capturing the site before the builders
move in to create the new centre. The students will continue to
monitor the project and will take photos during the building works
and on completion.
We have also supported local business J Wright Roofing in
winning Catapulting Kids funding to pay for an East Midlands
Roofing College which will be located in Bulwell. The project will
enable the academy to send students for quality work placements to
experience the construction industry and business management for
themselves. It is hoped that we will be able to offer a KS3
qualification in roofing skills which will be delivered at the new
college site. The project includes the purchase of two roofing rigs
which will enable our students to practice their own construction
skills on school premises, as well as a useful tool to support
other elements of the curriculum (health and safety immediately
springs to mind).
For more information please contact Alison Bingham, Director of
Business & Enterprise at Bulwell Academy on a.bingham@bulwellacademy.co.uk
or visit http://www.bulwellacademy.co.uk/