Our Year 8 social entrepreneurs have welcomed their first guest speaker this term. Ben Cuddon from Climate Ed provided great insight into what is causing climate change, the impact that it will have in our lifetime.
Furthermore, Ben provided excellent encouragement and motivation to make small changes that can have a positive impact on the environment. This is part of a selection of guest speakers that our Year 8s will hear from throughout the year as part of the social entrepreneurship programme that will see them develop non-profit solutions to a social or environmental issue. They will work together to think of ideas for a product or service that has the potential to alleviate issues relating to the environment or find solutions to issues facing our partner school in Tamil Nadu, India.
At the start of the term, the pupils took part in a ‘hackathon’, whereby they brainstormed solutions to challenging problems facing students today. This helped to develop their entrepreneurial mindset. Throughout the year, pupils will work together in groups to develop, plan, and organise a marketing campaign and a business plan to design a product or service to assist in alleviating or solving an issue. During the spring term the pupils will learn the theory behind business objectives and mission statements, as well as understanding basic financial principles. Over the Easter break they undertake some fund-raising activities to support the development of their plans. There will be workshops on leadership and teamwork and towards the end of the year the drama department will support the pupils in developing their public speaking and presentation skills ahead of the presentation of their business plan.
Ms Courtney (Teacher of Business & Economics)