Planting Enterprising Seeds In The Minds In Year 6 At Catcliffe

 
Year 6 pupils at Catcliffe Junior and Infant School in Rotherham will soon be able to show their business pedigree thanks to an initiative between Parkgate Shopping and schools enterprise project Rotherham Ready.
 
Under the “Make £5 Blossom” scheme, Parkgate has provided a £150 loan (£5 for each of 30 pupils) to the school as an initial investment for one of the Year 6 classes to launch a business. The pupils themselves decide what they sell, where they sell it and to whom, before checking the profits and presenting their final results before the close of summer term in July.

As well as the loan, which the school confidently expects to pay back in full, Parkgate will help the class with its project through workshops, practical advice and contacts. The process is intended to help young children to develop important enterprise skills for the future.

Billy Smith, Operations Manager of Parkgate Shopping, said: “Catcliffe is the second school we have worked with on this scheme, and if the enthusiasm they showed during our first meeting is anything to go by, I’m sure that their business will flourish.”

The class has already been chosen, and two representatives came with their teacher to collect the cheque. They have even selected their product category –plants and garden products.

“As spring advances into summer and people’s minds turn to their gardens, this is sure to be a successful venture,” says Billy.
 
Photo shows Billy Smith with teacher Jane Baxter and two budding Catcliffe business people, Nathan Barnes and Courtney Rollinson.