News: Rotherham businesses urged to make school partnerships blossom

Companies in Rotherham are being recruited for a New Year business boost by teaming up with local schools in a successful enterprise project. Rotherham Ready's Make £5 Blossom scheme is kicking off its fifth cohort on January 16, 2009, and is appealing for interested businesses to get involved. The project brings together Rotherham businesses and local primary schools to stimulate entrepreneurialism in the classroom. Already, more than 3,500 pupils in Rotherham under the age of 11 have developed business skills as a result of the project to date and highlights have included a circus, a film night, themed enterprise fayres, and gardening projects. Some schools have spent their profits, established with the help of a £150 loan from the business, on developing enterprise in school and some have chosen to donate a proportion of their profits to charity. Business partners work with the students to encourage them and develop their enterprise skills before receiving their loan repayment in full in March. Jackie Frost, Project Manager for Rotherham Ready, a four-year project funded by Yorkshire Forward, said: "We are urging local businesses to get involved as their input into these schools with both staff and students is truly invaluable. "Businesses have the opportunity to see the energy and enthusiasm of young people involved in the project and some of the amazing ideas they come up with. "With their help our young people are supported to realise their potential and develop valuable enterprise skills for the future."
Rotherham Ready website
Rotherham