SCHOOL NEWS // YOUNG ENTERPRISE
ENTREPRENEURS TAKE THEIR PRODUCTS TO THE PUBLIC
THURSDAY 9 JANUARY 2020
The selling skills of Pocklington School Sixth Form students taking part in the Young Enterprise ( YE ) scheme were put to the test on the streets of Harrogate when they took their products to the public .
Ten A level students , who between them have set up three businesses , competed against students from other schools across North Yorkshire when they set up their stalls in Harrogate on a Saturday in the run-up to Christmas .
The Lower Sixth formers traded all day , persuading Christmas shoppers to buy products they have developed themselves as part of the YE Company Programme which empowers young people to set up and run a student company under the guidance of a business volunteer .
The School ’ s YE co-coordinator , Head of Business and Economics Gareth Shephard , said : “ The students worked hard and achieved a great day ’ s trading . They showed real commitment , resilience and business sense in their approach to the day . Thank you to all in school and to OPs who have given their support .”
Student comments included : “ It was really great to actually start selling and to see our idea making money !”
Those taking part were : Tom Kirby , Brad Riley , Oliver Nicholls and Ben Wilkinson , whose Hydro Protection company sells waterproof products ; Sam Cooper and Tom George , whose T , H and S company sells wreaths ; and Trinity Wright , Noah Callau , George Brignall-McGougall , and Max whose company Parallax sells retro clothing .
Two of the teams won awards : Hydro
Protection won Best Trading Stand and T , H and S won Best Product . The students are now preparing for a Director Training event and second trade fair in February , ahead of the first round of the YE Regional competition in March .
One company will eventually be crowned UK YE Company of the Year and go on to the European Company Programme Final .
Students taking part in the YE Company Programme make all the decisions about their business , from deciding on the company name , managing the company finances and selling to the public .
Participants gain the practical business experience , adaptability , entrepreneurial mindset and employability skills needed to secure successful futures . They learn from hands-on practical learning in real life contexts , understand money management and benefit from employer engagement .
The programme is also designed to raise students ’ aspirations and help to develop career intentions .
# PORTRAIT FOR NHS HEROES
A portrait I did for the # portraitfornhsheroes appeal set up by portrait painter , Tom Croft . It ’ s a portrait of Dr Abolaji Atomode who works in acute care in James Paget NHS trust , Norfolk .
Such a pleasure to be involved in this . Actually working on another piece of a nurse which is not yet finished .
Dan Cimmermann
18 THE POCKLINGTONIAN