Looking at the new Diploma qualifications you could be forgiven for thinking that students at Grange Primary School in Long Eaton, Derbyshire had been studying them as part of their curriculum. In fact since 2002 Grange Primary School has been growing its very own school town run by the pupil population which provides students with the opportunity to experience exciting enterprises that expand their ambitions and possibilities in later life.
Implemented by the school’s former headteacher Grangeton is a project designed to complement the Government’s vision for the future of Primary Education ‘Excellence and Enjoyment’. The project is focused on developing children’s education in a way that enables them to apply their learning in meaningful and practical ways whilst promoting self confidence, discipline and a growing role within a community.
Grangeton is the school’s own town run by pupils, headed by an elected council and town Mayor. The town consists of a newspaper; printed termly, a computer controlled library, a cinema, a healthy eating tuck shop, a television studio, a radio station, a language café and a museum that charts the school’s history. Students are also given the opportunity to work as Office receptionists, trained Buddies (Playground councillors) and Litter patrols.
These activities provide students with the practical projects, work experience, life skills and the opportunity to tackle real life situations similar to that of the new Diploma.
Like the Diploma, the Grangeton project is also supported by local businesses and experts who work and train the children and add authenticity to the process.
To ensure sustainability older children undertake management positions within Grangeton enterprises and are then responsible for passing their expertise to those in lower years.
In addition to Grangeton Year 6 students are developing entrepreneurship through various enterprises such as designing a making ‘Top Trump’ cards, Christmas baubles and bracelets. Student then use the funds from the various enterprises to purchase souvenir leavers t-shirts at the end of the year.
To find out more about Grangeton contact Sarah Crooks, Enterprise Coordinator at Grange Primary School on 0115 973 4959.
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