Enterprise education for schools

National Guidance
on Enterprise Education

Drawing on the experiences of the enterprise pathfinder projects, this section offers guidance to help schools develop their strategy for implementing enterprise education.

This section also explores working with partners and includes some top tips on partnership working.

National Strategy for Enterprise Education

New funding of £60 million a year from September 2005 will support a new focus on enterprise education in English secondary schools.

This entitlement will provide all Key Stage 4 pupils with the equivalent of five days' activity focused on enterprise capability — innovation, creativity, risk-management and risk-taking, and a can-do attitude and the drive to make ideas happen -

supported by financial capability and economic and business understanding.

Enterprise capability is a key output of work-related learning programmes, which became a statutory requirement in September 2004.

What is Enterprise Education?

Ofsted recommends that schools should establish a clear definition of enterprise that is understood by staff, pupils and other stakeholders. The complementary descriptions below can inform this process.
What it is: Enterprise education consists of enterprise capability supported by better financial capability and economic and business understanding. Young people need opportunities to be enterprising through applying their knowledge, skills and attributes — to 'make their mark'
How to do it: Ofsted identifies two other key elements: an enterprising learning environment in which students are encouraged to take the initiative; and an enterprise process which is akin to project working
Where it fits: Work-related learning is statutory in Key Stage 4 and schools are required to have regard to the QCA guidance about it. The guidance says that enterprise is part of work-related learning. The four stages of enterprise process can be found in the further information section.

Why do it?

Enterprise education is a key component of work-related learning which is statutory at Key Stage 4.
	Enterprise education can help raise aspirations and develop valuable skills for both higher education and employment. Enterprise opportunities can challenge the most able students, enhance a range of curriculum subjects and drive up standards as part of the school improvement agenda. View the publication here..
	Ofsted report that pupils are motivated by enterprise learning. They enjoy being given the autonomy to tackle relevant problems, take responsibility for their own actions, engage in real issues and evaluate the outcomes of their decisions. View the Ofsted report here.. View new Ofsted report : Developing enterprising young people here..
	Business strongly supports the acquisition of enterprise attributes as an important factor in developing a skilled workforce and a dynamic economy. Some young people welcome the chance to start up their own business.View the discussion paper HM Treasury:Creating an Enterprise Culture