Member Article

Stepping into Business Turn Primary Pupils into Entrepreneurs

Social Enterprise, Stepping into Business, is working with Salford Primary School, The Deans to teach Year 3-6 pupils about entrepreneurial and enterprise skills as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week 2015.

Stepping into Business has brought together entrepreneurs from across Manchester to demonstrate different areas of business. Gez O’Brien, MD of digital agency, StarDotStar, will talk about innovation and developing new ideas. Marketer, Christian Michaels will discuss marketing and branding and Donna Irving, founder of Stepping Into Business and chartered accountant, will show how to make money and finance more fun.

Dinah Turner, director of Stepping into Business explains: “During Global Entrepreneurship Week we will be showing the pupils at The Deans how they can be entrepreneurs. They’ll get hands-on fun and practical experience of problem solving, presentation skills and how to tap into their creativity, which are all vital skills for running a business. They’ll also hear from inspirational business owners who are living-proof that if you have an idea and a good work ethic, you can make exciting things happen. We’re tying up our activities with those of Anti-Bullying week, to help the children understand how those principles also apply in business.”

Gez O’ Brien explains why StartDotStart was eager to get involved: “I want to connect pupils with how the world works now and how it could work in the future. To encourage them to realise that the world is changing around them in ways it didn’t for their parents or teachers and they can be part of deciding what those changes are in future. Entrepreneurship is about initiative, creativity and drive. Anyone can have the big idea but it takes persistence to make it happen. Having the skills to apply that drive and vision is partly what education is for.”

Headteacher of The Deans, Stephen Kirkpatrick said: “Here at The Deans we are trying to prepare the children for an uncertain future. We believe that children need skills that go beyond the traditional three R’s. They need to be able to think critically, adapt, be reflective and of course work well in a team. Stepping into Business is supporting us in these aims throughout Global Entrepreneurship week. The children will be given fabulous experiences through the teaching of the business skills and meeting inspirational speakers, which will enable them to be successful in a global market place. Most importantly of all – it’s great fun!”

Launched in 2013, Stepping into Business works by matching schools with businesses, who will sponsor a bespoke programme for each school that can encompass everything from one-day workshops to embedded school programmes lasting several weeks. There are also professional development programmes for Headteachers and the teachers themselves.

During Global Entrepreneurship Week, Stepping into Business is also working with Egerton Primary School, Knutsford, Cheshire, Westbridge Primary School, London, UTC@Media City and Manchester Enterprise Academy, Wythenshawe.

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