Published on:
10
May 2013
Business Gateway Clackmannanshire helped pupils from two local primary schools understand what it takes to become a successful entrepreneur on Wednesday, May 8th.
John Paterson, Business Gateway Adviser, armed the P3, P4 and P5 pupils from Claremont and St John's Primaries with information that will help them as they embark on a ground-breaking project to design a new school logo and colours.
The four-week 'Apprentice' style project will see the pupils, whose schools will amalgamate in August 2014 to form Redwell Primary School, set up eight 'companies' that will each operate like a business and come up with their own ideas.
The groups will then whittle down the designs and present their two favourite logos to all Claremont and St John's pupils at a special event in Alloa Town Hall on June 5th, with the winner becoming Redwell's official logo and colours.
John Paterson, Adviser, Business Gateway Clackmannanshire said: "We were delighted to be invited to the school to help introduce the pupils to the concept of entrepreneurship in a fun and informal manner. All the children were extremely enthusiastic and I could see that they cannot wait to rise to the challenge of designing a new school logo and colours. By giving the children such a leading role they will get an insight into the decision making process that business owners have to go through on a daily basis and it will encourage them to use their imaginations and skills to reach a final decision."
During the four week project the pupils will be set weekly challenges and will undertake market research at local retail outlets, visit a local logo embroidery business and Alloa High School's art department plus decide on pricing before each coming up with a design.
The P3 and P5 teachers from both St John's and Claremont have worked and planned this project collaboratively, ensuring the experience has depth, challenge and relevance throughout the process. This in turn will encourage creativity and a deeper understanding of the world of work.
Kate Paterson, P5 teacher at St John's Primary School said: "Much like the 'Apprentice' show, the challenges will help the pupils delegate and work together, and we're grateful to John for speaking to them about what is involved in running a business and about local success stories. The pupils will feel a great ownership of the logo as they will be the ones that will make the ultimate decision on the new design. They will overseas the whole process from start to finish. It really is the sort of project that they will remember for years to come - and who knows it could inspire some entrepreneurs of the future!"
Lisa Nicol, P3 teacher at Claremont Primary School, added: "The pupils have already been involved in naming the school and the aim of the project is to further enhance their involvement, and ownership, of the new school. This project is specifically significant for our current P5s as they will be Redwell's first ever P7 pupils. John has helped the pupils understand that even big companies started as a small business idea that grew through drive, ambition and hard work. His talk was really motivational and will help the pupils understand how to set up and run their 'companies'."
Councillor Ellen Forson, Education, Sport and Leisure Convenor, said: "I'm delighted that the pupils from both schools are working together on designing a new logo and school colours for Redwell Primary, with the support of Business Gateway. It's activities like this that will help to create a new shared ethos for Redwell, as well as providing lots of opportunities for learning across the curriculum."
For more information on how Business Gateway can help your business grow and prosper visit www.bgateway.com or call 0845 609 6611. Alternatively contact your local office on 01259 726430.