Business & Enterprise Specialist
As a Specialist Business & Enterprise College we aim to deliver high quality innovative learning opportunities for all our students. Students are encouraged to develop enterprise skills during lessons and through extracurricular activities.
We strongly believe that by developing enterprise skills such as teamwork, communication, problem solving, innovation and many more, students will be better prepared for the constantly changing world of work.
Why Business and Enterprise?
For our students our Specialism means:-
- providing opportunities for enterprise learning for all students through the curriculum.
- creating an ethos of enterprise across the whole school
- developing the enterprising skills and attributes for all our students
- delivering distinctive enterprise opportunities within the students' curriculum at KS3, KS4 & KS5
- enhancing the impact of enterprise across the local community
- An opportunity to gain Enterprise qualifications at Key Stage 3 and 4
- More specialised teachers
- Business & Enterprise activity days each year
- Opportunities to set up an run their own business during Key Stage 4 and 5
- Running the NatWest School Bank
- Running a Fair Trade/Healthy Eating Tuck Shop during Key Stage 3
For our local schools it means:-
- Closer links with our local community
- Technical support for partner primaries
- More collaborative working with other post 16 providers
- Ongoing staff training opportunities
For the local community it means:-
- Support and training opportunities for local small businesses and individuals
Events Overview
Young Enterprise - Company Programme
The Young Enterprise Company Programme gives our Year 12 students the opportunity to set up and run their own company for a year. They start by selling shares to friends and family to raise their startup capital which they use to invest in their chosen products or service which they sell at various events throughout the year. The aim is to return a profit for their shareholders by the end of the year.
Through running their company students gain an understanding and knowledge of running a business and develop some key enterprise skills along the way.
Post 16 Awareness Day
We held our Post 16 awareness day on Friday 25th Nov to raise awareness of the options available to students after Year 11. Feedback from students and facilitators was very positive. We will be running a similar event with Year 11 students in September each year. Students appreciated firsthand experience from professionals on improving their job searching, preparing application forms, CV and letter writing, at a Post 16 Awareness Day. Around 30 people from the world of business and commerce spent the day working with year 11 students to help them prepare for the world of work. As well as advice on finding the perfect first job, there will also be information available on a range of further and higher education options, including universities, colleges and apprenticeships.
Nene Park Academy Principal, Mark Woods said: “Year 11 is a crucial time for students as they begin to think about life beyond school. There are many options and we want to make sure that students are as well informed as possible as they prepare to take their first steps into work, or go on to some form of further or higher education. We’re extremely grateful to the people who have given their time to work with our students – I’m looking forward to another lively day!”
Lunch/Breakfast with Employers (run at least once every term)
Professionals from across Peterborough met approximately 50 students at each lunch time session to discuss possible routes after education. The aim is to raise awareness of the need for a good education to enable success Post 16. Targeted students will be identified to meet prospective employers.
In December 2011, we held our very first ‘Lunch with Employers Event’ where approximately `.80 students from Years 11, 12 & 13 had the opportunity to meet with 17 employers from different industry sectors from in and around the Peterborough area.The students had the opportunity to network with these key people from across the local employment sector and to ask questions about their industry or specialism. This was a brilliant opportunity for the NPA students to raise their awareness of the range of career opportunities available through direct contact with local employers and it also deepened the students’ understanding of the skills and attitude required to work in a particular career or sector from first-hand experience.
The event also brought other benefits to the school by raising its profile and reinforcing Business & Enterprise specialism within the business community. In addition, it also presented the opportunity for education and business to work together to meet the skills needs of the future. The variety of business professionals who attended this new and exciting event ranged from solicitors, marketing managers, project managers, financial advisors, business managers, consultants, sports managers, the director of a construction company, personal assistants, admin assistants, receptionists, social workers and other staff from the health industry.
Post event feedback from students and employers was very positive with students reporting back that it had been a worthwhile experience. Here are some specific quotes from some of our students:
Jessica Forber, Year 11 - “The event was very informative, I now know what employees are looking for – it is not just about the grades, they are looking for experience and motivation. The employer I spoke to has expressed an interest in being my mentor for the Career Academy Programme.”
Amelia West ,Year 12 – “It was refreshing to speak to someone who had been successful and to get first hand tips on what employers are looking for in young people.”
Junaid Mazamaal, Year 11 – “It was a very pleasant atmosphere. I met some nice people who made me feel at ease. They also gave me some good guidance on what I need to do to pursue my career pathway.”
Diana Fundira, Assistant Principal and organiser of this inaugural event, said “We are extremely grateful to the business people who gave up their time to network with our students. The event was very successful and it is our intention to expand it in the future by delivering at least one similar event each month targeted at specific students. Our plan would be to get even more businesses involved to further enhance the variety and scope of the event and to benefit the students even further.
Business Enterprise Week – (Global week 12th – 16th Nov)
- What is Enterprise Week?
Enterprise Week, part of Global Entrepreneurship Week, is a national celebration of enterprise with thousands of events and activities happening across the UK.
- Enterprise week at NPA
As a business and enterprise specialist school; Nene Park Academy run a range of activities throughout the week and all students from year 7 to 13 take part. The week is organised and run by a member of the Business and Enterprise department.
- The weeks activities
Range of fun, interactive, competitive and exciting activities run by the Business & IT Department. Last year’s activities included Social Enterprise Talks, business talks, Dragons Den challenges, Apprentice Style challenges, form activities around enterprise and personal development training for all students
As part of Entrepreneurship Week we held a Careers Fair on Tuesday 7th February for our Year 9 to 13 students. We were very fortunate to have a wide variety of Colleges (PRC, City College and Huntingdon), Higher Education & Further Education (Anglia Ruskin University, Northampton, Cambridge University) establishments to exhibit at the event as well as Employers (Davis Langdon, Total Promotions, RAF, Army, Navy, Rotary Club, Police, Roythornes Solictors, Moore Stephens Accountants, Papworth Trust and lots more). Students had the opportunity to speak to our exhibitors about career opportunities and courses available.
- Here are some quotes from students and employers regarding last year’s B&E Event:
‘A refreshing, positive and yet informative way to end such a busy half term at Nene Park Academy. This was the first time that we have organised the Business Enterprise Week at the school. The response from the employers has been overwhelming where they have all expressed an interest in working with the school again. The students and staff have been very positive most of them have reported back the success of the event which has inspired them to think about enterprise opportunities. We are grateful to the employers who continue to make a difference to the life chances of our young people at NPA’. Diana Fundira (Assistant Principal)
Comments from employers:
"Keep doing what you're doing! The event was great!"The kids were polite and responsive and very well behaved. A credit to the school! Susie Tinsley – Police
‘A very positive atmosphere and good opportunities for everyone to network! I found it really interesting to learn about enterprise opportunities at the school and the fostering of young people in enterprise. Great work! I will be more than willing to take part again’. – Alice Johnson – Young Lives
Careers Fair @ Nene Park Academy 2012
New York / Euro Disney Business Studies Trip
Aim: To enable students to experience firsthand the most famous Business City (New York) in the World. To explore business concepts of Finance, Marketing, Retail , Location, Transport and Tourism in a real setting. Students will also be able to use this trip as the residential section of their pledges.
The New York programme will include: Tour of the Financial district and Federal Reserves bank - Finance, Visit to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island – Famous Tourist Landmark, Guided Tour of Macys – Merchandising, Retailing, Marketing, Visit and talk at the Empire State Building – Marketing, Staten Island Ferry - Free computer transport and to view the Manhattan skyline, Window Shopping on 5th Avenue – Marketing, Merchandising, Location, Central Park walk and visit to the Zoo – Leisure and Ground Zero – To pay respects.
Lunch with undergraduates (w/c 17- 20 April 2012)
We had the opportunity to host 6 undergraduates from the University of Cambridge who met our students over lunch from Tuesday 17th – Friday 20th April. The subject specialisms of the undergraduates included Law, Medicine, Mathematics, Politics, English, Art, classics, Ethics and History. Curriculum leaders targeted their top fliers ( or students with a strong interest in your subject areas) from Years 9 – 13 who could benefit from first hand information about university. Approximately 150 students took part and found the event very informative. Such events will go a long way in raising their aspirations.
School Money (Launched in April)
We are working with our local NatWest branch to run School Money, a school bank service run by and for our students.
The service allows students to open a real NatWest bank account suitable for their age at school, and to bring money into school to pay into their account. To withdraw money they need to visit a local branch or visit an ATM (if parents agree to a cashcard). For more information please go to www.natwest.com/adapt.
This service gives students first-hand experience of managing money. It provides the foundation for the continued experience of having a bank account and managing their own finances.
The school bank will be open every Tuesday lunch-time and will be run by Year 9 students who will take on the roles of cashiers, marketing executives and customer service managers. We advertised the positions, Cashiers, Marketing Executives and Customer Service Assistants, and interested students had to fill in an application form and attend an interview. Seven students were selected to run the branch each week on Monday at lunchtime.
The school bank was officially opened at the Nene Park Academy by the Mayor of Peterborough Councillor Paula Thacker on Tuesday 8th May
Konnor Woods, branch manager, said: “I’m really looking forward to finding out what it’s like working in a bank and it will be a great experience to add to my CV.”
Assistant principal Diana Fundira said “This is an exciting opportunity to give students a real insight into the banking world".
Visit to Cambridge University
Approximatley 50 Year 10 students will visit Newnham College, Cambridge in July. The day is designed to help and encourage students to make a more informed decision about how they proceed with their education when they finish school. Students will spend time with current undergraduates hearing about student life. They will tour Newnham College, including student accommodation. The day is designed to encourage students to think about going on to Higher Education.
Fair Trade Tuck Shop (to be launched in Sept 2012)
Year 7 students will get the opportunity to run a Fair Trade/Healthy Eating Tuck Shop at lunchtimes. Students will apply for a position within the shop and attend an interview. They then have to select and purchase a range of Fair Trade/Healthy Eating products which they can sell to fellow students.
This project will give our key stage 3 students experience of how to run a business from deciding on a suitable product range through to marketing and financial management. All profits go to charity.
Year 11 Mock Interviews Week (W/c 1st October 2012)
L
ast year we held a Mock Interview Week for our Year 11 students from Monday 17th October -21st October 2011. The aim of which was to give students the opportunity to practice their interview skills and receive feedback from one of our business volunteers. Students completed a CV, covering letter and an Application Form which was given to their interviewer beforehand. They were then given a 30 minute interview where they could practice generic interview skills, they were given feedback on the completion of their paperwork and how they conducted themselves during the interview. This gave them an excellent opportunity to gain some valuable feedback to help with their studies, prepare them for future college and/or job interviews.
Students came into school in very smart business attire, appropriate for an interview, and were extremely nervous. The feedback we received from our volunteers was very positive and they were impressed at the confident and mature manner of our students.
Below is an outline of all the Business Enterprise Activities that we run in school
|
Dates |
Year Group |
Number of students |
Event |
Outcomes |
|
20th June – All day |
7 |
80 |
Cocktail training |
Product Dev, Marketing and Selling the product in school tuck shop, CV writing, Interview Skills |
|
15th Nov |
All |
Enterprise Challenge |
Risk taking, setting up businesses, presentation skills | |
|
19th Feb |
All |
Computer Science Museum Tour |
Work related learning | |
|
Ongoing |
All |
Enterprise lessons |
Risk taking, setting up businesses, presentation skills | |
|
Sept 2012 |
8 |
40
|
Make your Mark
|
Planning a business, Stakeholders, Product Dev , Marketing, Presentation Skills |
|
20th Feb |
All |
The Real Game |
Financial Management, Raising Aspirations, Citizenship | |
|
16th Nov |
All |
Financial Management Day |
Finance, Banking, Cashiering, Marketing and Promotion, Communication skills, Teamwork | |
|
19th – 21st June |
All |
Apprentice Challenge |
Risk taking, setting up businesses, presentation skills, filming | |
|
Ongoing |
All |
Enterprise lessons |
Risk taking, setting up businesses, presentation skills | |
|
Ongoing |
9 |
10
|
School Bank |
Finance, Banking, Cashiering , Marketing and Promotion, Communication skills, Teamwork Interview skills, CV writing |
|
19th Feb |
All |
RAF Maths & Science workshops |
Application of Maths and Science in real life, Teamwork, Communication Skills | |
|
16th – 18th July |
All |
Euro Disney trip |
Business talks, Marketing, Promotion | |
|
20th Feb |
|
All |
Science Museum (and London Museum) Trip |
Work related learning |
|
17th – 21st June |
10 |
All students |
Preparation for work |
Communication skills, Teamwork, Interview skills, CV writing, Preparation for Working Life |
|
June 18th |
All students |
CV writing project |
Interview skills, CV writing | |
|
Jul 16/17/18th |
50 |
University Visit (Cambridge/Anglia Ruskin) |
Raising Aspirations, Student life, Finance, Budgeting | |
|
10th Sep 2012 |
30 |
Young Enterprise Company programme |
Planning a business, Stakeholders, Product Dev , Marketing, Presentation Skills | |
|
April 2012 |
50 |
Armed Services Exhibition |
Team building, Preparation for working Life | |
|
15th – 16th Nov |
All |
Apprentice Style Challenge |
Risk taking, setting up businesses, presentation skills, filming | |
|
1st – 5th Oct |
11 |
All |
Mock Interviews |
Preparation for working Life, Interview skills, CV writing |
|
14th Sept 2012 |
All |
Post 16 Awareness Day |
CV writing, Employability skills, Interview skills, expectations post 16 | |
|
26th Sept 2012 |
12 |
All |
Youth Exchange Programme |
Team building , Preparation for working life, communication skills, Location, Tourism |
|
Jan 2012 onwards |
All |
CV writing project |
CV writing, Employability skills, Interview skills | |
|
Nov 2012 |
10 |
Careers Academy |
Partners in Business, Networking, internships, Raising Aspirations
| |
|
17th July |
All |
BBC London trip |
Filming, marketing, promotion
| |
|
26th Sept 2012 |
13 |
All |
Youth Exchange Programme |
Team building , Preparation for working life, communication skills, Location, Tourism |
|
Sept 2012 onwards |
All |
Lunch with Undergraduates
|
Preparation for university life
| |
|
Ongoing |
Whole School |
All
|
School Bank
|
Budgeting, Finance
|
|
17th – 21st June |
All |
Futures Week |
The Subway Challenge, The £10 Challenge | |
|
April 2013 |
Y10 – Y13 |
Lunch with Undergraduates
|
Preparation for university life Raising aspirations | |
|
Ongoing |
Y10 – Y13 |
Lunch with Employers |
Preparation for working life Raising aspirations | |
|
Sept 2012 onwards |
All |
B-Live Careers Programme |
CV writing, Employability skills, Interview skills, careers development | |
|
Sept 2012 |
House Reps 25 |
The Apprentice - Antprentice |
Planning a business, Stakeholders, Product Dev , Marketing, Presentation Skills | |
|
12th – 16th Nov |
All |
B&E Week |
Careers awareness, enterprise activities, business networking | |
|
31st Jan 2013 |
All |
Careers Evening |
Raising aspirations, Preparation for working life
|