As part of the Money makes the world go round series of financial awareness programmes from School Dynamics, Mini-Enterprise introduces a range of skills and learning to your pupils aged 11-13. Mini-Enterprise programmes are led by our experts Malcolm Watson, Sharon Pink, Michele Tenzer, Peter Oliver and Steve Pink.
Over 6-10 weeks, your pupils work in teams operating as small businesses. Each student takes a ‘director’ role and a ‘manufacturing’ role, learning how companies work, how share capital helps to fund corporate activities, how groups become high-performing teams. They plan, research and create products to sell, plan and promote a sale event, present an Assembly about their company activities, take part in the sale, keep accounting records throughout and then assess their individual and ‘company’ progress in a detailed Review & Learn debrief session at the end, where they can review how this programme helps them develop key life skills that will benefit their future lives and careers. Throughout the programme, your pupils are encouraged to be creative and innovative, to develop and articulate ideas, try new techniques, put together marketing programmes, deliver short presentations and make an active contribution to the success of their team. We encourage your students to participate in as many different aspects of the programme as they can, helping them to develop their confidence and personal impact in a safe and supportive environment.
The primary learning outcomes for this age group are focused on
Develop independence of thought and action through
- Decision-making
- Problem-solving
- planning and executing the actions of the team
- taking personal responsibility
- learning to manage time and meet targets
Develop economic awareness by
- setting up and running a small trading company
- handling and accounting for money
Develop individual creativity through
- the production of a marketable product
- the advertising and display of the product so as to attract sales
Develop personal skills through
- learning to work together in teams
- learning to negotiate with peers and adults
At St John’s School in Northwood, the boys taking part in the last set of workshops made some fantastic products including custom-engraved wood etchings and a fascinating computer game with highly impressive sound effects. Sean Robinson, Deputy Head at St John’s said “We have been delighted at the enthusiasm and commitment from our Year 8 students to this financial awareness programme and are impressed to see how much they have learned about teamwork, business, money management and personal responsibility that will undoubtedly benefit them in their future lives.”
And finally, many thanks to our guest artist for our Mini-Enterprise page: Levi, aged 9, from Barnes
