Find out about how one specialist business and enterprise college has harnessed its entrepreneurial spirit and set up a social enterprise to turn pupils’ enterprise projects into real businesses.
Co-operative School, St Benet Biscop Business and Enterprise College recently took a bold step and set up Benet Enterprises Ltd a social enterprise which aims to help existing and former students develop entrepreneurial ideas, which eventually may result in the students setting up their own businesses. This risk has proved to be a wise move as it is one of the first of its kind in the UK and is set to be a shining example of an enterprising community.
The impetus for Benet Enterprises was the previous experience of a St. Benet Biscop Young Enterprise (YE) company, Panda Productions who did not want to draw the company to a close when the YE programme had been completed. The social enterprise will support students who feel this way and will help them prepare to access mainstream business support services by offering them opportunities to test their ideas in the surroundings of a live business environment.
In addition to supporting students with enterprising ideas, Benet Enterprises also offers:
- Event Management Services
- Film Production
- Conference Facilities
- Business Engagement Services
- Enterprise Training
- Commercial Products
One exciting aspect of the Enterprise Training is the development of an ‘Enterprise Play’ which was developed by the Head of Drama at St Benet Biscop and a group of Yr13 students. Written for young people by young people the play was intended as a one off performance to support the schools enterprise education programme. However, it was such a success that it has been performed to schools across the North East.
Lyndsey Archbold Business Manager, Benet Enterprises runs the company which is expected to have a £70,000 turnover in its first year, rising to £200,000 by the end of the third year.
If you would like to find out more about Benet Enterprises please contact Lyndsey Archbold on either 0787 87 99 444 or 01670 89 80 60. Alternatively email archboldl@benetenterprises.co.uk