Enterprise brings a taste for business

Running a Healthy Eating Tuck Shop gave pupils at Alloa's Sunnyside Primary a taste for business. The 60 pupils involved in the schools enterprise business, BIZ, became involved in a range of business partnerships with the local community.

Aims

Kaye Hills, Clackmannanshire Council's Enterprise Co-ordinator, says: 'They made real connections with the world of work and gave real credibility to their project.'

The pupils:

applied for and were formally interviewed for roles including market researchers, accountants, buyers, cleaners and salespersons
had responsibility for their group's own work schedule, with weekly meetings held to discuss progress
contacted the local press to promote ideas and created adverts and jingles, with ideas 'borrowed' from radio and television
held an ‘industrial tribunal’ to deal with a problem team member, who was then ‘redeployed’ to another department.

Method

BIZ bought fresh fruit from a local shop, taking advantage of special offers and seasonal produce to increase sales, and made an average £25 a week profit on a spend of £30-£40 for their infants’ and seniors’ tuck shops.

They used some of the profit to buy a 'smoothie' machine and a popcorn maker, increasing their product range and keeping their customers’ interest and loyalty.

The market research team gathered consumer information to keep up to date with trends and favourite lines, and sales assistants, working to a rota, gave up their playtimes to serve in the two tuck shops.

Outcomes

The project allowed the children to enhance their core skills in a meaningful and local context. It provided personal and social developments in areas such as self-esteem and independence. All children, whatever their academic abilities, have a chance to shine and discover their strengths.
The project links with the community were seen as fun and creative ways to enhance the children’s understanding of the ethics of business, and provide positive publicity for all those involved.

Kaye Hills

The Tuck Shop is closely linked to the Healthy Schools Initiative.