NEWS.

Tees Valley School donates profits from entrepreneurial competition

Tees Valley Trailblazers competition

13th Jul 2021

The Tees Valley Trailblazers challenge was designed to help key stage two children discover their entrepreneurial flare and was delivered by the North East STEM Hub at RTC North as part of a Primary Careers Education pilot launched recently by the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority.

Pupils were tasked with developing their own business with a brief to create and sell a product or service and submit their idea to a panel of judges. The schools have been supported throughout their journey by local businesses who have put on virtual talks and become mentors to the schools throughout the challenge. The challenge has provided the students with a great opportunity to discover their inner entrepreneur, learn new skills, and work as a team whilst raising money for their school. The finalists will  be invited to pitch their idea to a group of business experts on the 30th June in the hope of securing an investment.

Vice principal at Reid Street School in Darlington Joanne Davison said the group of ten Year 6 entrepreneurs who took part in the challenge had called themselves the Wavemakers and sold cakes and biscuits on National Nurses Day, generating £743. But they didn’t stop there, the Wavemakers then went on to make plants in mugs, stress toys, keyrings and painted stones, leading to a total profit of £1,527.

The children had always planned to donate some of their money raised to Darlington Memorial Hospital but they were shocked and surprised to raise so much. Therefore, they have decided to donate and help more charities. The children presented Darlington Memorial Hospital with £250 and £250 to the Mayor of Darlington’s charities Darlington Mind and St Teresa’s Hospice.

Claire the Education Relationship Manager at the North East STEM Hub said “Our Tees Valley Trailblazers competition is a fantastic way to teach young children all about running your own business. A lot of the experiences they will have as they work through the competition will enable them to develop life skills that will be invaluable as they get older and start their career. The children of Reid Street Primary School have not only shown how creative and imaginative they can be but have thought carefully about distribution of their profits to benefit their local community.”

Mayor Cyndi Hughes said: “The children made an excellent presentation about their business ideas. These young people not only have heads for business, they also have hearts of gold.

“I am pleased and proud of their generous contributions to my charities - St Teresa’s Hospice and Darlington Mind - both well-loved charities serving the people of Darlington.”

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “When I launched TeesValleyCareers.com, I set out to make sure every child across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool got high-quality careers support and contact with local businesses across all of our sectors. This was such a success that there was no question of extending it to Primary children too.

“It’s never too early to get our young people to consider the opportunities for successful careers right here in our region. So it’s great to hear how Tees Valley Trailblazers project has got the next generation of innovators, job creators and entrepreneurs inspired and working with mentors on businesses of their own.

“Of course, one important part of being a successful business is giving back to your community, and I’m delighted the Wavemakers could raise so much cash for their school and these important charities. Thank you to everyone involved for their hard work.”

Entries are now open for next year’s Tees Valley Trailblazers. For more information and to enter your school please click here. Contact us at stem@rtcnorth.co.uk to register your interest by Friday 16th July 2021. 

For further information on the Tees Valley Primary Careers pilot contact Sarah Lamb on Sarah.Lamb@teesvalley-ca.gov.uk

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