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As part of DLE on a Friday afternoon, 7M took part in an enterprise project in conjunction with “The Key” and “Leading Link”. The project is a real experience of creating an enterprising idea, persuading a Dragons Den style panel to invest up to £125 per team, making the product and then selling the product.

The children were split into groups in September and they all had to take on a role within their groups: project manager, finance manager, sales manager to name a few. They then brainstormed and researched their business ideas. As they knew they would be selling their products at a children’s Christmas market in December, the theme very quickly became Christmas for all five teams.

Lydia said “I found cooperating as a team was difficult at this stage because everyone in the group had their own ideas and we had to try and narrow it down once we knew what we could buy.”

Lewis said “The finance manager had a hard job. We nearly didn’t get finished in time and we couldn’t have got the money if we didn’t finish but Miss Mackenzie helped and we made it in time.”

Once they had decided on their business idea they then needed to research, cost and work out potential profits before standing in front of a Dragon’s Den style panel. The aim of which is to persuade them to invest up to a maximum of £125 per group. It was a nerve wrecking time as this was something most of the children had not done before. Thankfully, all teams were successful and could therefore proceed with ordering their items.

Benji said “I enjoyed presenting our ideas to the Dragon’s Den panel.”

Joe said “I was quite nervous during the Dragon’s Den panel, answering the questions was difficult and trying to explain the amount of profit we would make!”

Once the deliveries arrived, the excitement built and the productions lines began. There was glitter, ribbon and Christmas packaging galore as all the children worked extremely hard to get their products made, priced and packaged within the time frame.

On Saturday 9th December, the children attended a Christmas Market in Morpeth Market Place which was made up of stalls run entirely by school children. The children had a great time and learnt an awful lot. A huge thank you to everyone who contributed by buying products or simply coming along and talking with the children about their products.

Sienna said “I most enjoyed selling the products at the market because people got to see what we do at Chantry Middle School and what we had made. There were children from King Edward VI High School too we could show what middle school children are capable of.”

George said “I really enjoyed our time at the market and persuading people to buy our products. I stayed most of the day as I was enjoying it so much!”

The children also sold their products at the Christmas Fayre in school. The total amount of money will be totalled soon but it looks as though this will be around £500. The children would like to invest some of this money on improving the KS3 outdoor space as well as donating money to a charity which is important to them. Further information to follow in due course.

Lucas said “Thank you to The Key and Paul, Julie and Lyn from Leading Link. We couldn’t have done it without you!”