Pipers Students Learning to be Entrepreneurs in Virgin Money Make £5 grow Programme

Year 8 students have been taking part in Virgin Money’s Make £5 Grow, a fun education programme for budding entrepreneurs.  

The purpose is to spark their creativity and develop key life skills, for example problem-solving, managing money and teamwork.  

Each student begins with a loan of £5 which they can use on their own or team up with peers to set up their own mini businesses. Students then come up with a bright idea, make a plan, use their £5 to develop their product or service and sell them for a profit.  

Throughout the term, they met each week on a Tuesday lunchtime and got advice along the way from Mr Crocker and received an insightful session from the Pipers School Marketing team on how to advertise their product and target consumers. 

Three businesses evolved from the sessions each with their own USP. One group selling "Shell Candles", another called "Sweet Treats" who made their own treats and a group selling "Lip Glosses".

Product prices ranged between "£1-£5" and they sold their products outside the Arts Centre Café during lunchtimes.

Once the original loan is paid back, any profit made is donated to a local charity of their choice. 

Mr Crocker said "They have really worked hard on organising their various businesses. They have learnt teamwork, negotiating, marketing and organising a sales event."