Find out about and get involved in the Enterprise Network

The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust (SSAT) have secured funding from the Department for Children Schools and Families (DCSF) to develop the Schools’ Enterprise Education Network (S’EEN).  Find out about exciting changes to the network and how you could get involved in the future.

The S’EEN Network linked all secondary schools to a specialist ‘hub’ and ‘spoke’ school.  These schools would organise training events and provide support and advice, and opportunities for teachers from other schools to visit them.  Under the new contract S’EEN will be renamed the Enterprise Network.  The Enterprise Network will have a wider remit and will support all sectors of education 5-19 to improve the quality and quantity of enterprise education in England.

The SSAT was the lead bidder in a consortium of organisations which reflect the change from a network of secondary schools to one inclusive of primary schools and tertiary colleges. Partners include:

• 157 Group of Colleges
• The Association of Colleges
• Association of Professionals in Education and Children’s Trusts
• Centre for Education and Industry, University of Warwick
• The Cooperative College
• National Association of Head Teachers
• The National Education Business Partnership Network

The Network will be supported on national, regional and local levels across the UK.  EnterpriseUpfront has produced the following diagram to outline the new structure and purpose of each level.

The minimum composition of an ELP is:

• 2 primary schools
• 2 secondary schools
• 1 special school
• 1 FE college
• 1 representative from the local business community
  Other possible members:
• Local Authority
• Education Business Partnership
• Regional Development Agency
• Local Enterprise Growth Initiative representatives

If you are interested in submitting an application to be an ELP you should:

1. Discuss the possibility of applying with your existing network(s)
2. Talk to other interested groups who you think might be interested in applying to be an ELP from within your local authority area
3. Talk to your senior leader i.e. Head Teacher and ensure you have buy in
4. Make sure you have all the minimum components and composition of the ELP covered
5. Register your ELP on the home page by 16th January 2009, if you register after this date the application will automatically go forward to the second round of applications.

For further information on the Enterprise Network and to register your ELP visit www.enterprisevillage.org.uk