How it works

After an initial team-building workshop, the children are divided into smaller groups of approx 4 to 6.  Each team set is up as a business, with various job roles.  The teams are given an initial loan of £5 with the aim of increasing this amount in order to purchase supplies for a third world community or to support a local charity. They are encouraged to think of unique and creative business ideas, along with ways to run and advertise their business.

As each primary school finishes the challenge, student teams compete on a final “Dragon’s Den-style” judging day run in partnership with local employers. The questions used are based on set criteria relating to:  team work, marketing, fund raising ideas, recycling etc, as well as looking at each team’s diary that they have written throughout the course of the project.  The teacher will also be consulted.

The judges will choose a winning team from each school, a runner up team and team with the best diary.  The judges will also choose the team with the best business idea. A number of ‘Enterprise Hub’ high Schools are also involved, which eases the children’s transition to secondary education and allows them the opportunity to continue the project in years 7 and 8.

Local employers are key to the success of “Time for a change” by supporting the judging days, as well as being on hand to visit the schools to give business advice and motivate the teams!