Aycliffe Monthly #2 | Page 8

AycliffeToday FEATURE A REAL-LIFE CITY A group of Aycliffe schoolchildren have taken part in an innovative programme that challenges youngsters to run their own city, thanks to the support of two businesses. Devised in the United States, Enterprise City sees children take control of their own city, make rules and discover the consequences of individual and group decisions. The city is run by a Mayor, while the bank issues loans and the city “trades” as children try to make a profit at the end of the day. Aycliffe-based Enterprise England, the company that brought the programme to the UK, held successful pilot events before setting up a permanent venue at the premises of Newton Aycliffe manufacturing company Ebac, on Aycliffe Business Park. Pupils from St Mary’s School in Aycliffe got a first glimpse of the real custom-made “city”, which includes shops, a bank and a police station. The Aycliffe school had already taken part in one of the pilot events and were eager to go back for more.