Participate in School Enterprise Challenge

Overview of The School Enterprise Challenge

The School Enterprise Challenge is a fantastic opportunity for all the schools because it's easy for all primary and secondary teachers to use, even if they don't know much about business, as it gives clear step-by-step guidance.The programme has three steps.

If you are a school headmaster, talk to your teachers about the programme and start planning which teachers could lead a group of students. If you are a teacher, speak to your school administration and fellow teachers to decide who can join you. If you are a parent or student, talk to your school administration about the programme and all the benefits of participating!

To learn more about the challenge and what the programme entails, we have provided a useful guide below.

Step 1: Business Idea

In Step 1, the business teams explore potential business ideas and lay the groundwork for their school business. This foundational step typically takes 4-6 hours to complete.

To kick-start the programme, students begin with a reflective activity where they think about their dreams and aspirations for the future, identifying the skills needed to achieve them. This introspective exercise serves as a visual aid that motivates the business team to stay focused on their goals.

Next, using the worksheets and guidance materials provided, students will take a look around their school and local community, identifying the resources available for viable business ideas. They will brainstorm together to come up with innovative business ideas that can address community needs based on the resources they identified.

Then, they will choose a business idea that is feasible, realistic, and not overly complex, ensuring that there is a viable market for it. Identifying potential customers is a crucial part of this process.

Finally, the business team will decide how to use the profits from their school business. This discussion promotes transparency within the programme and helps motivate the team by exploring the possibilities of what can be achieved with their earnings.

This step strengthens life skills such as critical thinking, market research, and problem-solving. By evaluating and validating their ideas, students develop a practical understanding of the entrepreneurial process.

At the end of this step, the students will have an innovative and realistic business idea that they will develop and implement in the next steps.

Step Two: Business Plan

In Step 2, students start planning for their school business. This step typically takes about 20-25 hours to complete.

The business team begins by conducting market research. They engage with potential customers and study existing businesses to gather valuable insights crucial for setting up a successful business. This involves understanding the needs and preferences of their target audience and analysing competitors.

Next, students strategise their marketing approaches. They develop plans to effectively promote their business, considering various marketing channels and techniques to reach their target market.

Financial planning is another critical component of this step. Students learn how to manage finances, create budgets, and estimate costs and income. Additionally, students establish an operational plan, allocating responsibilities among team members.

This step develops and strengthens essential skills such as market research, financial planning, communication, observation, and marketing.

By the end of Step 2, students will have a comprehensive business plan that outlines all the necessary steps to successfully launch and run their business in the next step.

Step Three: Run The Business

This is the last and most exciting Step! In Step 3, the business team transitions from planning to action, becoming true entrepreneurs. Over a 2-3 month period, students put their business plan into action by launching their business, preparing products or services, advertising, and selling to real customers. This step is crucial for learning through direct customer interactions and making necessary business adjustments.

As part of the School Enterprise Challenge programme, the business team will complete various activities that contribute to the creation of their Annual Report. This report serves as a reflective space for the team, allowing them to consider the outcomes of their business launch and implementation. Reflecting on challenges faced, innovative solutions devised, and lessons learned is crucial for their growth as entrepreneurs.

The Annual Report also provides a space to document financial performance, including income, costs, and profits, offering insights into the financial viability and sustainability of their business.

This step helps develop essential skills such as problem-solving, customer service, and adaptability. Students also have the opportunity to enhance their entrepreneurial, financial literacy, communication, critical thinking, and leadership skills.

Once a business team completes all three steps, the school has the option to continue the programme by expanding their business and recruiting new team members. Alternatively, they can embark on a new business venture with a different group of students or explore both options! This flexibility allows for continuous learning and growth within the School Enterprise Challenge programme.

Registration and Onboarding

Register by clicking the button below. You will be taken to our new platform, ElevatED, where you can register for an account.

JOIN TODAY

Prizes

As part of your participation in the School Enterprise Challenge, you will be able to participate in competitions throughout the year. These range from regular mini-competitions to annual competitions such as Best Business Idea, Best Business Plan, and Best Business Implementation.

We have various awards and prizes for competition winners, which include features and cash prizes, which you can use to reinvest in your business and school.

More prizes to be announced throughout the year!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the School Enterprise Challenge 2023 open?

Is the School Enterprise Challenge 2024 open?

Yes! The programme is currently open for registrations. For teachers and school head teachers: Click here to create an account. For students and parents: Please speak to your school's administration and encourage them to register for the programme.
Who can register?

Teachers and Head Teachers from Primary to Secondary schools can create an account and register their schools directly for the programme. Click here to start the registration process. Students and parents cannot register their schools individually. They should speak to their school administration to encourage the school to sign up for the programme.
How to participate?

To participate in the School Enterprise Challenge, you must be a teacher or headteacher. Create an account on our ElevatED website by clicking here. On the website, you will find the activities for the three steps of the School Enterprise Challenge programme: Step 1: Coming Up with a Business Idea Step 2: Planning a Business Plan Step 3: Launching and Implementing a Business We will support you in guiding your students through each step of the process, helping them complete activities that lead to business implementation. Please note that if you are from the following countries, you can contact our local team directly for tailored support: Uganda: SECUganda@teachamantofish.org.uk Honduras: concurso@teachamantofish.org.uk
What is the ElevatED website?

The ElevatED website is the place where you can find Teach A Man To Fish's entrepreneurship education programmes for schools, teachers, and students. In the Teacher View of the app, you will have access to our flagship School Enterprise Challenge programme, which will guide you step-by-step in kick-starting and managing a successful and sustainable student-led school business. To access the ElevatED website, click here and follow the instructions to create an account and register your school.
How can I access the School Enterprise Challenge on ElevatED?

You can access the School Enterprise Challenge through our ElevatED website. To get started, create an account on ElevatED (only teachers and school staff can create accounts) or log in to your existing account. Once logged in, you can register, add team members, and complete all necessary activities for the School Enterprise Challenge. To access the ElevatED website, click here and follow the instructions to create an account and register your school.
When can I work on the programme with my students?

You have the flexibility to work on the School Enterprise Challenge either during classes or after school. Whether integrated into the curriculum or run as an extracurricular activity, the programme offers options to suit your school's schedule. Additionally, you can utilise dedicated project time or even school holidays to make progress. It's all about finding the approach that works best for your students and ensures their active participation and engagement.
What is the timeline to participate?

The timeline for the School Enterprise Challenge is flexible. Schools can adjust the schedule to fit their own calendar and complete the programme activities at their own pace. However, business teams will also have the opportunity to participate in various global competitions throughout the year. Winners of these competitions will receive cash prizes to support their businesses! Here are the deadlines for the initial competitions we are hosting: Step 1: Business Idea 2nd August 2024 8th November 2024 Step 2: Business Plan 3rd September 2024 3rd December 2024 Step 3: School Business Implemented (Annual Report) 3rd December 2024 11th March 2025 Each competition has its own deadline, prize, and criteria, all of which will be communicated well in advance on the ElevatED website. We will announce more competitions throughout the year, so stay tuned!
Why should my team participate in a competition?

All teams participating in the competitions will receive a digital badge and have the chance to win a prize to support their school business! Additionally, the teams participating in the competitions for all three steps (Business Idea, Business Plan, and Annual Report) will receive a badge and a certificate indicating their level as Bronze, Silver, or Gold, based on their performance according to the Achievement Criteria. You can access the Achievement Criteria on the ElevatED website under the 'Compete' section. Besides, students, teachers, and school headteachers will receive individual personalised certificates. Teams can also nominate individuals for Inspirational Teacher, Enterprising Student, and School Head Teacher prizes. If a team participates in a Step 2: Business Plan competition, they will receive feedback on their business plan from a business expert, helping them to launch their business.
What is my business team's level?

The teams participating in the competitions for all three steps (Business Idea, Business Plan, and Annual Report) will receive a badge and a certificate indicating their level as Bronze, Silver, or Gold, based on their performance according to the Achievement Criteria. You can access the Achievement Criteria on the ElevatED website under the 'Compete' section.
What is my school’s level?

We believe in recognising schools that champion entrepreneurship education. By participating in the programme, your school is showcasing their commitment to providing high-quality entrepreneurship education, both locally and internationally. Schools can attain one of three distinct ranks at the end of the year: Novice: This marks your school's first year in the programme - all schools will aim for the Novice rank in 2024, as we're introducing a brand new ElevatED website this year! Intermediate: Achieved after two consecutive years of teachers and students completing the programme. Advanced: Achieved after three or more consecutive years of teachers and students completing the programme. To attain a School 2024 rank, business teams must complete Steps 1, 2, and 3 activities of the School Enterprise Challenge programme on the ElevatED website by March 11, 2025.
Can our school have more than one school business team?

Yes! Your school can form multiple school business teams, allowing for greater student involvement and promoting entrepreneurship among a wider group of students. Each team can explore different business ideas or aspects of entrepreneurship, offering students diverse opportunities to enhance their skills and unleash their creativity.

Overview of The School Enterprise Challenge

Frequently Asked Questions

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