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Richmond Young Entrepreneurs Competition
Don’t ignore those bright business ideas any longer – they might win you a business start-up cash grant of £1500 and a business course at a local college!
Richmond Council are launching a Young Entrepreneurs Competition to coincide with Global Entrepreneurs Week. REBP and other partners including the Chamber of Commerce and and Young Enterprise London are supporting the deliver of this competition.
When so many young people are finding it difficult to get work, now is the perfect time to start thinking business. The competition is designed to challenge young adults between 18 and 24 to think about a product or service that they could develop – and potentially turn into a real business.
Suggestions include the following, but the scope is as wide as your imagination:
- Contributing to the borough’s visitor economy
- Using an empty shop
- Contributing to environmental sustainability
- Tackling crime
- Helping people to be involved in their community
- Helping young people to learn
- Helping older people to live full and active lives
- Using technology in new or creative ways
So how does it work?
You enter the competition with a simple proposal and finish with a Dragon’s Den style presentation. You must be between 18 and 24 on 1 Jan 2010 and living or studying in Richmond upon Thames. The stages are:
- Complete the online entry form that outlines your business idea, by the end of January.
- If successful, you’ll be asked to provide a business plan by mid March. Support templates and will be available for this.
- The best plans will go through to the final stage. All finalists will be able to attend a free one-day entrepreneurship masterclass at the end of March, before presenting to local entrepreneurs and business leaders in late April.
This is a fantasic opportunity so make the most of it!
Enter the competition here
Insight into art at Kew
On 6th and 8th October 16 year 10 students at Hampton Community College were given an opportunity to investigate and develop an understanding of the role of the ‘artist’ at a large organisation including; the scientific artist, public artist, gallery artist and art educator.
REBP developed a partnership between HCC and a freelance artist who organised a visit to the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew.
The students took part in a presentation and discussion with a Kew scientist which focussed on the role of artists as scientific illustrators; the students were then led through a number of creative and practical activities that developed the students’ observational and experimental drawing and 3D skills.
A follow up session with the freelance artist took place in the school during which students produced a lot of diverse work based on their visit. .jpg)
Beka Jackson-Stevens, Head of Art at HCC said: ‘the link has broadened student’s awareness of the varying roles of an artist while expanding their practical and discussion skills’
Stuart Simlar, Freelance artist said: ‘I found this an exciting project to work on and enjoyed the experience of working with the group in this way’
100% of students rated their experiences as either good or excellent!
REBP would like to thank the school, Kew Gardens and Stuart for all the hard work that went into organising the project.
Music Mania at Grey Court School
On the 23 October 170 Year 10 students at Grey Court School were given the opportunity to demonstrate their creativity and knowledge of the music industry by taking part in a challenge to design, market, finance and launch a new compilation music album
Led by REBP, students formed companies and were supported throughout the day by business volunteers and teachers.
The students faced real business challenges throughout the day including meeting VERY strict deadlines and using the available resources to make their ideas as innovative and professional as possible.
At the end of the day students presented their ideas to a panel of judges. Awards were presented for best presentation, most creative Ideas and best overall company.
The judges commented on the fantastic standard of presentations and ideas and outstanding behaviour of the students throughout the day.
REBP would like to thank David Furniss - BT Global Services, Sean Gillen – Richmond’s Economic Development Team Manager and Barri Ghai – Operations Manager at Way to Work for their support during the day and not to forget Ian Poole – Head of Vocational Learning at Grey Court School for ensuring the smooth running of the event.
For more information please contact Ruby Mir on 020 8487 5392
Young people plan for their future
REBP have been supporting local schools to provide their young people with an insight in to a variety of careers.
Working with Shene School and Orleans Park School, REBP engaged employers to support events running in the schools.
Shene School’s College and Careers evening for years 9, 10 and 11 was a huge success with employers being invited for the first time. Students had the opportunity to talk 121 with representatives from industries including construction, hair dressing and sport and leisure.
Keira Pritchard, Work Related Learning Coordinator at Shene School said:
‘Ordinarily at this event they (Students) have only met with colleges, but this time they had opportunity to meet with people working in real industries.’
Orleans Park School gave students the chance to attend workshops lasting 1hr40min that provided them with an in depth understanding of the work and career opportunities on offer in a variety of industries for example engineering and hospitality.
Jan Marshall, HR Director at Marriott Twickenham said the event was:
‘an enjoyable session with plenty of participation from the students’
REBP would like to thank the following organisations for their contribution: Richmond Academy of Martial Arts, Lakehouse, Marriott Hotel, EDF Energy, GE Capital, Metropolitan Police, MOD, Indalo Hairdressing.
MoneySense at Teddington School
On 7th and 10th July 2009 Teddington School ran an exciting and challenging enterprise activity with year 9 students called ‘MoneySense’.
Students worked in teams to form a catering company which and prepare a proposal to provide a sit down dinner for 100 guests. Students had to prepare and plan a presentation to panel of judges who would make a final decision according to both price and quality. The students worked hard to develop their marketing materials and create unique ideas.
This event wouldn’t have been as successful with out the help of the employers who volunteered to support the students throughout this activity. Many thanks to Ivor, Brett and Ben from Lensbury Club, Teddington. Christina from Quorum Services and Chris from Bosworth Aviation Consultancy. Each individual employer contributed with their the own expertise and professional advice.
Input from businesses is invaluable to these events and students really engage with people from outside of the school community.
Interested??
If you would like to volunteer or find out further information, please contact:
Ruby Mir – r.mir@richmond.gov.uk – 020 8487 5392
Celebration of Work Related Learning 2009
The REBP annual celebration took place on Wednesday 17 June 2009 at The Salon, York House, Twickenham
.
The event brought together local employers, school staff, pupils and employers to celebrate the partnerships that have been forged and the achievements of those involved in work related learning in the Richmond borough.
Her Worship the Mayor of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames Cllr Celia Hodges presented awards and certificates to pupils who had achieved outstanding results in their work related learning programme and Dr Tessa Moore (Head of School Effectiveness – London Borough of Richmond upon Thames) presented certificates to local employers who had helped young people prepare for working life.
The annual ‘Employer of the Year Award’ went to London Borough of Richmond upon Thames– Central Depot Team for their contribution and commitment to the Work Related Learning Programme. In addition to this, REBP introduced a new award recognizing valuable partnerships between schools and employers. This year Teddington School won with their partner Cordless ICT Consultants. Mr Watling (Assistant Headteacher) was delighted with the result and plans to continue their school’s partnership with Cordless ICT Consultants
Our guest speaker was Diploma Employer Champion Martin Stevens, Managing Director of A1 Technologies who enlightened the audience with his speech on why employer engagement is vital to young people. The event came to a close with one of our very own team members Regis Mujinga receiving his certificates and prize for completing his NVQ Level 2.
Work related learning is a statutory element of a young person’s learning and is fast becoming embedded in the curriculum. Events like this serve to elevate the importance of local employers in the programme and recognise the achievements of local pupils.
College pupils challenged to boost Harlequins attendance
Forty students from Richmond upon Thames College took part in an Apprentice-style challenge at The Stoop on the 15 and 16th June, where they were given the task of increasing attendance at Harlequins’ opening games of next season.
The event, run by Richmond Education Business Partnership and Harlequins Rugby Union FC, saw the business studies students work over two days before pitching their ideas to a panel of judges made up of Harlequins staff.
The winning idea came from a team of students who suggested harlequins host a big summer outdoor event the week before the first game of the season at which discounted tickets were promoted and sold for the opening games. The team targeted people who would not normally think about attending a Rugby Match. Prizes were also awarded for best presentation, teamwork and financial planning.
Cllr Malcolm Eady, Cabinet Member for Education and Children’s Service on Richmond Council, said;
“The event was a great success. Enabling students to take part in work related learning is one of the best ways to develop their skills and put into practice what they have been learning in the classroom.
Richmond council, like Harlequins, is dedicated to providing these opportunities and developing a strong relationship between schools and colleges and local employers. This project is certainly something we will be looking to repeat, my congratulations go to all those who took part.”
The students were given an introduction to the work of Harlequins and took part in speed network sessions about the different functions of the business, such as marketing, retail and finance. They were then set their task, which they worked on over two days, before facing the judges.
Commenting on the day, Harlequins Community Development Manager, Ben Thurlow said;
“We are really pleased to be able to support this innovative idea and the students have shown great enthusiasm for the task. September attendances are a genuine challenge for most professional rugby clubs and some of the ideas that the students came up with have true potential. I’m sure that in partnership with Richmond College and Richmond Education Business Partnership we’ll be able to make this a sustainable annual award and I’m looking forward to next years competition already.”
Students from Grey Court School develop their ‘WorkSkills’
Grey Court School have offered a group of Year 11 students that chance to gain an additional qualification equivalent to a GCSE by completing the brand new WorkSkills Certificate. Student’s complete units and collect evidence in various topic designed to develop their employability skills. For example ‘working in a team’ interview skills’ ‘running an enterprise’ 
Richmond Education Business Partnership (REBP) were engaged by Grey Court School to organise and deliver sessions which support the qualification.
On 16 March REBP ran a one day enterprise activity in which students were tasked to produce and market a gift music album.
Students worked in teams of 5 and designed the CD case, produced marketing materials and planned a launch event and had to ensure that they kept within a given budget. Students then presented their business plans to judges at the end of the afternoon.
The standard of work produced was excellent and students collected a lot of evidence for the team work unit of their qualification.
Engineering Challenge 2009
The annual Richmond Education Business Partnership Engineering Challenge took place on Tuesday 17 March 2009. This year’s challenge was run in partnership with the Army
Secondary schools from across the borough competed in teams under two age groups; Key Stage 3 (11 –13) and Key Stage 4 (14 – 16). 
The challenge was to design and build a powered buggy type vehicle. A race was held at the end and the fastest buggy in each age group was the competition winners. There was also an award for the most innovative engineering design. Teams could only use the materials supplied by the Army and had to complete their design and build within a given time.
The challenge addresses government learning outcomes and the Science, Technology Engineering and Maths (STEM) agenda which is a government priority aimed at encouraging young people to take up STEM subjects at school and enter STEM related careers after leaving education.
Cllr Bill Treble – a former Mayor of the borough presented the prizes to the winners.
Key Stage 3 winners
Whitton School
Key Stage 4 winners
Shene School
Most innovative engineering design
Waldegrave School
Thanks go to WO1 Brian Soper and the Army Recruitment Team who ran the event and all the pupils and staff from the schools that took part Christ's, Orleans Park, Shene, Waldegrave and Whitton
Insight into Construction
On the 5 February 12 students from Orleans Park School braved the snow and were given an insight into the Construction Industry thanks to Lakehouse, an established service provider with a key focus of working in the affordable housing, education and community health care sectors
Students began the day with a health and safety induction and quiz and then transferred to a construction site where they were given a taste of what it is really like to work in the construction industry.
Following a site tour, students were tasked to build and paint sandwich board displays and find out about the various career option by talking to members of staff on the site.
On return to school the students took part in short quiz to demonstrate what they had learnt with the winning student receiving a £25 gift voucher!
Despite the bad weather it was an excellent day for all. Barbara Owens, Work & Enterprise Related Learning Coordinator at Orleans Park School said that the event was a ‘very well structured day which met the pupil’s practical knowledge and interest’
Richmond Education Business Partnership would like to thank Jonathon Brookes, CSR Manager at Lakehouse for organising the day.
Interview workshops
During the spring term REBP ran a series of Interview workshops with the aim of developing students’
- Understanding of the importance of preparing for interviews
- Knowledge of how to answer key interview questions
- Confidence in interview situations
The workshops have been delivered in various formats to suit the need of the school and students. Ranging from a whole year group within PSHE lessons at Orleans Park School to a targeted group of students who are part of the Princes Trust XL Club at HCC in a 2 hour session.
At Clarendon School year 10 and 11 students took part in an interactive workshop which was followed a week later with mock interviews with local employers.
The support and experience of employers is invaluable to these workshops and REBP would like to thank Rico Pieri and Deema Hazaymah, McDonalds (Richmond) and Karen Ferarri, Power Employment for their contribution.
Following the workshops 100% of Orleans Park School students either agreed or strongly agreed that they are able to answer key interview questions and 94% agreed or strongly agreed that they were now more confident about going for an interview.
With their work experience beginning in May they now have a good opportunity to perfect their interview skills!
Global Entrepreneurship Week 2008
17 - 23 November
Last year, Enterprise Week became part of the first ever Global Entrepreneurship Week, which saw 25,000 events all over the world encouraging people to unleash their enterprising ideas. In the UK alone, a massive 644,000 people took part! This year, it takes place from 16 – 22 November.
Below are details of some of the activities the REBP were involved in.
Waldegrave students ‘Make their Mark’
Waldegrave School entered the National Make your Mark Challenge in which they were tasked to create an entrepreneurial idea inspired by the Olympic and Paralympic values. The entry had to consist of an ideas sheet, research on competitors, and a ‘money matters’ document outlining projected profits.
The Richmond Education Business Partnership supported the students taking part in the challenge and were extremely proud that the Waldegrave team went through to the regional final.
The girls were given the opportunity to present their ideas to a judging panel which included Claire Young (runner-up of The Apprentice 2008 TV series). The team impressed the
judges so much that they were declared the regional winners and invited to attend the National Final representing the whole of London!
56,000 students from across the country took part in the challenge this year, so the school was delighted when they also went on and won the national title!
The winners have won £3,000 for their school to spend on future enterprise activities and have also been invited to visit the Olympic 2012 headquarters.
Shene students gain an insight into enterprise
Enterprise was the name of the game for Year 10 students at Shene School – in fact it’s the name of a real board game that demonstrated to the students how a successful business operates.
Staff from Richmond Education Business Partnership led the sessions and students played the game in groups of five, with four taking responsibility for running competing factories and the other playing the role of banker. Just like in a real business, players had to make decisions that determined whether their company succeeded or failed as they competed fiercely to make, sell and deliver ‘Stox’ to a variety of customers placed around the board, with the winner being the company having the highest value at the end.
The game has the backing of famous entrepreneur and successful businessman Duncan Bannatyne OBE, from TV’s Dragons’ Den. Commenting on the game, he said: “The Enterprise Game captures the essence of what business is all about – making, selling and delivering what customers want – I wish I had invented it!”
Richmond Education Business Partnership (REBP)
Celebration of work related learning 2008
Richmond EBP's 5th annual Celebration of work related learning took place on 1 July 2008 in York House in Twickenham. Students from Orleans Park School provided music as local employers, schools and college staff and pupils gathered with other guests to celebrate another successful year of work related learning for the borough's secondary schools, special schools and college.
Her Worship the Mayor of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames presented certicates of achievement to students and employers who have excelled in their support for schools.
This years hotly contested Employer of the Year Award went to the Lensbury Club at Teddington Lock
Students who had excelled in aspects of work related learning were also presented with certificates by Gary Botha, a Harlequins Rugby League player. A presentation from students and a teacher of Hampton Community College gave an insight into a successful work related language project, run in partnership with HSBC bank.
Cabinet Member for Children's Services and Education, Cllr Malcolm Eady, said:
“The work related learning programme has been a huge success and I’m pleased those who have made such efforts will be recognised.
“Work placements, challenges and visits are invaluable in developing students’ skills and provides them with a better understanding of what is required if they want to pursue a particular vocation.
“I would like to congratulate all those who have taken part in the past year and thank the businesses and organisations who have contributed their time, effort and enthusiasm.”
NPL Academy 30 June - 4 July 2008
Richmond Education Business Partnership recently worked with the National Physical Laboratory to set up an academy for local students.
Below is a report on the academy from NPL's Human Resource department:
On the 30th June 28 students aged between 14 and 17 descended on the National Physical Laboratory for a week to take part in the first ever NPL Academy.
We receive numerous requests for work experience every year and we wanted to put a more robust programme in place to really add value for students
Thank you to all the NPL employees who were involved in hosting the students for work experience, without your help the week would not have been possible. Students were involved in a variety of activities including lab tours, experiments and exhibitions. They all had such a brilliant time and most did not want the week to end!
Other highlights included a very lively first day of introductions, a water rocket challenge on the Wednesday and presentations from the students to an audience that consisted of NPL staff, their parents, their teachers and the Mayor on the last day.
The week was such a success that the Richmond Education Business Partnership presented NPL with an award for providing invaluable support in helping young people prepare for adult life.
Amber Lauchlan
Human Resources - NPL
New Team Member
We would like to formally welcome Regis Mujinga who joined the Richmond Education Business Partnership in May. Regis has joined the REBP as an Apprentice Administrator and will be completing his NVQ in Business Administration whilst here. Regis will be the main point of contact on the REBP phone and will be assisting the work experience team in placing the borough students. He will also be involved in the running of work related learning activities and events. Regis is already proving to be a very valuable member of the REBP team.
Partnership in Languages - Hampton Community College, HSBC and REBP
On 6 February 94 year 9 students from Hampton Community College (HCC) took part in a workshop run by staff from HSBC bank. Following links made by REBP, the workshops were aimed to provide students with a better understanding of the importance of languages and awareness of cultural differences in the world of work.
Sessions included an interactive business simulation game and chinese language lesson. Students even learnt to sing Happy Birthday in Mandarin! Excellent feedback was recieved from both students and staff from HSBC and HCC.
86% of students that took part either agreed or strongly agreed that they are considering taking up a language
at GCSE.
Comments from the Head of Languages at HCC included
"staff definitely feel that this event has given students an opportunity to value language learning and understand the importance of recognising and respecting cultural differences."
Following the project the Regional Language Network for London have awarded HCC, HSBC and REBP Business Language Champion Status.
A Celebratory event was held at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 17 March.
A big thank you goes to HSBC for their involvement in this event and Rosanna Hoseason, Head of Languages at HCC for all her hard work.
Young Apprenticeship Employer Awards
Lensbury Club in Teddington were recently awarded with the title of 'Best Employer Placement' for the first term of the Young Apprenticeship in Sports Management, Leadership and Coaching work placements.
There are currently 14 students throughout the borough taking part in the programme, which involves them spending a day a week at Richmond upon Thames College and another day at a relevant work place. As well are working towards the Young Apprenticeship, it is also hoped that the students will complete a level 1 NVQ in Sport, Recreation and Allied Occupations though collecting evidence whilst on their placements.
Richmond Education Business Partnership presented the award to Jamie Webster and the Lockside team who have been working with the student. .
A big thank
you also goes to Paula Tullet for organising the placement at Lensbury and the the other employers who are supporting this successful initiative.
Follwing the success of this years programme, Richmond upon Thames College have secured funding to run the qualification for a new batch of students starting in September 08.
If you would like to find out more or get involved in the Young Apprenticeship programme please contact Clare Huntingford at Richmond EBP on 020 8487 5392 or email c.huntingford@richmond.gov.uk
