The Enterprise Leaders Group are now working well together and this led to the organisation of the Christmas Community Fayre in the main hall at the Hucknall Lane site. Each BizCom hosted their own trade stand and there was an eye-watering range of Christmas gifts as well as innovative competitions. (This supports Step 6- Vocational learning endorsed by employers.)

I believe that each BizCom turned a profit (some, very healthy profits) – but, the important thing was the experience that each student had. Watching some very creative selling techniques towards the end of the event, the enthusiasm and energy that the students put into the event was very rewarding for all who attended.

Global Entrepreneurship Week (16-20 November) led to a number of projects including Booth’s ‘Who am I’? week of events. Students were encouraged to think about friendship and what makes a good friend.

During the Week, year 8 academy students had their first experience of business start-up by taking part in the Make Your Mark Challenge. Boot, Booth and Bonington business communities put forward teams as did the sixth form. The challenge required students to consider an environmentally sustainable business which would be of value to the local community.

The diverse responses comprised a CineTent to be sited in Bulwell market place, a community bakery, bike repair centre and solar powered street lamps. The academy hosted the regional finals of the Challenge later in November, with 16 teams competing for one place in the National finals. The standards were very high and the winning team from Leicester had designed a food dye method to enable branding onto confectionary products, hence negating the need for packaging.

The Young Enterprise Company programme is now underway with year 10 students from Bowden having launched their business ‘Pets Paradise’. The original plan was to make and sell dog jackets and accessories. Like other ambitious fledgling businesses, there have been boardroom squabbles over leadership, roles and core business uncertainty have resulted in a turbulent time.

The project will be restructured in the new year and opened up to any year 10 students who wish to develop their business acumen. I have a very positive attitude to what we’ve seen happen – this is the first time these students have experienced this sort of role; lessons have been learnt, and, importantly – it’s the journey, not the destination that matters.

The Sixth Form Career Academy in Hospitality & Catering is showing very positive signs. Our students have settled well into their role of school leaders. We went to London to meet with Sally Crabb, Creative Director for Imagination (the largest privately owned design company in Europe).

Following a tour of amazing city-centre offices, we were all given a first-hand insight into brand management. Imagination’s clients include a wealth of global leaders such as Samsung, Aston Martin, Guinness, the BBC, etc. A ‘behind the scenes’ explanation of the digital wrap around the BT Tower for the launch of the 2012 Olympics was fascinating. This was followed by lunch on The Embankment and an afternoon conference at the National Youth Theatre. A quick bit of retail therapy in Covent Garden in the evening, rounded off an excellent day.

The Career Academy Business Advisory Board is growing in number and we have recently been joined by Dominc Hayer, Managing Director/owner of the Goosedale Conference Centre who brings his event management expertise to our group. The Career Academy sixth form students organised an excellent Christmas lunch for the BABAB, Graham, Scott, Mark and me. Under the experienced eye of Ashley Stapleton, the group had their first ‘hands-on’ experience of hosting a special event.

Linking our business and enterprise activity to the local community is of great importance to us at Bulwell Academy and we continue to work closely with the EAZ team to build these links. The new Bulwell Joint Services Centre will draw together many local support services and include the job centre and library. Students from the Boot BizCom learnt about photography and took cameras out to the Bulwell Bogs area, capturing the site before the builders move in to create the new centre. The students will continue to monitor the project and will take photos during the building works and on completion.

We have also supported local business J Wright Roofing in winning Catapulting Kids funding to pay for an East Midlands Roofing College which will be located in Bulwell. The project will enable the academy to send students for quality work placements to experience the construction industry and business management for themselves. It is hoped that we will be able to offer a KS3 qualification in roofing skills which will be delivered at the new college site. The project includes the purchase of two roofing rigs which will enable our students to practice their own construction skills on school premises, as well as a useful tool to support other elements of the curriculum (health and safety immediately springs to mind).

For more information please contact Alison Bingham, Director of Business & Enterprise at Bulwell Academy on a.bingham@bulwellacademy.co.uk or look at the website at: www.bulwellacademy.co.uk