Inspired pupils leap to the challenge
More than £3,000 has been raised for the Mary Ann Evans Hospice thanks to the entrepreneurial skills of pupils from schools across Nuneaton and North Warwickshire.
The 12 week long Jaguar Enterprise Schools Challenge, organised and run by the Warwickshire Education Business Partnership and the Mary Ann Evans Hospice, culminated with a hugely successful and enjoyable Award Ceremony hosted by the Jaguar Motor Museum in Coventry.
The five participating schools were Higham Lane School, Nuneaton; Polesworth International Language College; Queen Elizabeth School in Atherstone; Manor Park School in Nuneaton; and George Eliot School in Nuneaton.
In total they managed to raise £3,296 for the Mary Ann Evans Hospice using their Enterprise Skills of innovation, creativity, financial literacy, business and economic understanding team working and decision making to grow an initial fund of £50 per school donated by Jaguar.
The winning school had to demonstrate a thorough understanding and evidence of the main Enterprise skills in the process of growing their initial fund and Queen Elizabeth School did this to a high level. Their main event of a sponsored head shave for one of their teachers helped them amass a total of £608.96 for the hospice and landed them an engraved Jaguar ‘Leaper’ Trophy for the school.
The highest fundraising school, Polesworth International Language College, walked away with a huge cuddly toy to continue their Enterprising work. The school raised a staggering £1,259.53 through the selling of roses and cards on Valentine’s Day and a non-uniform day.
Julie O’Toole, Enterprise Development Officer at the Warwickshire Education Business Partnership, said: “This has been a fantastically successful pilot event which we intend to run again next year and launch in a similar format to schools throughout Warwickshire.
“Everyone involved in the challenge benefited enormously - the students had a chance to put their enterprise skills to work in a real-life situation and the Hospice gained much needed support. All participating students should be warmly congratulated on their efforts. They have every right to be proud of their achievements on this project.”
Warwickshire Education Business Partnership is a part of Warwickshire County Council and works with businesses and schools to help address the constant demand from employers for school leavers to be ‘work ready’. Each year thousands of Warwickshire students participate in a range of activities, which aim to develop their business and enterprise skills.