Local school inspires budding business entrepreneurs

A week of activities encouraging students to become budding business entrepreneurs was held at Llantwit Major Comprehensive School as part of its Enterprise Week.

Pupils between the ages of 11- 16 came together to enjoy an array of activities which had them thinking and learning about business, as well as producing a range of eco-friendly themed products including magazine frames, calendars, phone socks, and eco bags.

The weeklong programme ended with a Enterprise Fair, where pupils sold and showcased their products. Speaking at the Enterprise Fair,

Leanne Pownall, assistant headteacher, said: “The week has been a fantastic success and the pupils have created some really innovative projects using recycled and fair trade projects. Many of the ‘businesses’ started on Monday with a blank sheet of paper and five days on many of them have created some innovative products and services in addition to learning how to market it and how to run it.”

One of the projects created over the five days was a recycled green house for the school’s memorial garden. It was built from over 1500 recycled two-litre pop bottles.

Continued Leanne: “We have seen some very creative business launch this week and what better way to showcase them than at the Enterprise Fair which we have opened to the local community, as well as other schools.”

The event was organised by Llantwit Major School in conjunction with Careers Wales and is supported by the Inspiring the Vale Bursaries scheme, run by Creative Rural Communities (CRC), the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s rural regeneration initiative.

Both the Inspiring the Vale Bursaries scheme and the Business Networking project have has received funding through Axis 4 of the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013 which is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development administered by Creative Rural Communities.

As part of Creative Rural Communities’ Business Networking project external business contacts and advisors were also on hand to offer mentoring sessions and workshops for students, including information on subjects such as how to make a profit, how to market effectively, how to work well as a team and leadership skills.

Nia Hollins, senior rural regeneration officer, said: “Enterprise Week is a great way to not only inspire a creative and entrepreneurial spirit within the pupils but encourage them to become passionate about the world of business. We were thrilled to be a part of this event.”

As part of the project, the 31 groups of pupils will also make decisions on which charities their profit will go to. Leanne added: “The school’s enterprise working party has been planning the event in conjunction with Nia Hollins of CRC and Martin Blamey of Careers Wales over the last six months. The hard work has paid off and gave pupils the opportunity to think outside of the box, develop skills and give something back to a local charity of their choice.

“We would like to thank CRC for the sponsorship we received and the support of other businesses in the community who have fully supported Enterprise Week.”

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