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

National strategy for Enterprise Education

Funding of £60 million a year supports the focus on enterprise education in English secondary schools. This entitlement provides all Key Stage 4 pupils with the equivalent of five days' activity focused on enterprise capability — innovation, creativity, risk management and risk taking, as well as a 'can-do' attitude and the drive to make ideas happen — and is supported by financial capability and economic and business understanding.

Enterprise capability is an important aim 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.

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 QCDA 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.

Further information

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.

QCA: Career, work-related learning and enterprise: 11-19

Ofsted reports 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.

Ofsted: Learning to be enterprising at Key stage 4
Ofsted: Developing enterprising young people

Enterprise Education can play an important role in developing a skilled workforce and a dynamic economy. Some young people welcome the chance to start up their own businesses.

HM Treasury: Creating an enterprise culture

What works?

Information and examples are available to support schools in the planning, implementing and evaluating Enterprise Education programmes. These resources include: