Highfurlong S.E.N. School and Specialist College

Country

United Kingdom

Vision or plan for entrepreneurship education

Our vision and plan for enterprise education continues to be focused on
bringing about a culture change in Highfurlong, so that all the young
people gain an effective experience of enterprise education.

Enterprise education motivates pupils at all stages: as they see purpose and
relevance in their school work to their future lives, young people are
motivated and attain better.

Highfurlong School is committed to ensuring that every student has the
opportunity to develop enterprise skills and capability. Such skills are
an essential part of student preparation for adult life and the working
world.

We believe that successful enterprise learning will occur when
it is embedded in the curriculum alongside Work Related Learning,
Information Advice and Guidance, Citizenship and Personal Development.

Resources to encourage and support entrepreneurship education

Yes. Entrepreneurship education at Highfurlong is self funded within the department. This follows five years of funding through the HERO Project, which enabled us to establish systems and promote the implementation of business loans. Ongoing funding is accessed through bids and support from local and regional business sponsorship. This set up enables the staff and students to be more innovative and flexible and therefore able to make decisions about business groups running within school, rather than relying on "curriculum funding". Up until June 2012 we had the Hero Project in Blackpool and the authority recognised good practice, since then there has been little real support. Although not in monetary terms as the department is self funding.

Focus on student centred learning, integration in different subjects

As a school we focus on personalised learning, to look at what motivates a pupil, what they're good at and then provide lots of opportunities to try new things and build self-esteem. It is important to get involved in a wide range of projects and initiatives because our students need as much experience of real life as possible. With the right support in place, anyone can be successful and we fully promote a Can Do Attitude.

Many of the businesses are run on a seasonal basis and we have a major focus on social enterprise projects, raising money for charities.

Within Key Stages 3, 4 and 5 students access relevant, meaningful enterprise opportunities to improve their key skills, lifeskills and improve their enterprise capabilities.

The majority of business ideas are arrived at through student led discussion. Market research is conducted to ascertain demand. Roles are decided within the business group and a business plan is developed, funding is sourced, order forms and posters designed and produced and unit costs worked out to establish prices, risk assessments completed and then the students produce the goods or provide the service. Spreadsheets and data are produced to support and advise sustainability. Students are involved throughout all processes and all their work is accredited within a variety of programmes of study.

Students earn wages in the form of the profits being shared within each business group, these amounts are entered onto an Enterprise Credit system and students decide how to spend (or save) their money, thus establishing the link between working hard in order to earn wages. This is really important, because many of our young people may depend on benefits into adulthood, But, because students are motivated by enterprise opportunities, they get very good personal and academic, accredited outcomes.

Students are able to extend their business knowledge and understanding, capabilities and skills within the enterprise opportunities and curriculum. In addition students will improve their key skills and life skills and more easily generalise these skills in everyday contexts. A focus on such skills means that students will communicate, work with others and problem solve – all transferrable skills.

We work with a number of external partners in collaboration within the local and also national communities.

Evaluation of entrepreneurship education and learning and by whom

Subject SEF. Assessment for Learning within Enterprise is evidenced through BSquared targets for PSHE and Citizenship, in addition the 13 areas for Enterprise have been included within this format.

From November 2011 assessment has become more formalised through the Enterprise Journey Skills list which covers six levels and includes students from key stage 3 onwards.

There is a specific focus on three areas during Enterprise Week in November and again in May / June. Self assessment for Enterprise was introduced as part of the Enterprise Award (ASDAN short course)

Please give examples

as above