News: Rotherham students RISE to the challenge

Rotherham is again leading the way in enterprise education with the development of a new venture that engages young people at risk of becoming NEET (not in education, employment or training).

Youngsters will be engaged in active and outdoor enterprise learning and work together to grow and make things to sell at a market stall at Christmas.

The project is designed to develop the young people's enterprise skills, raise aspirations and help them build the confidence and ambition to make a positive progression after school.

Students from Aston Comprehensive, Clifton: A Community Arts School, Dinnington Comprehensive, St Bernard's Catholic High School and Wingfield Business and Enterprise College will meet for the first time this month to share and develop plans for the enterprise.

The project is funded by the European Social Fund and has been developed by Rotherham Ready and local TV garden design entrepreneur Lee Bestall, from Inspired Gardens.

Catherine Brentnall, Rotherham Ready Project Officer, said: "RISE is about giving young people who are disengaged from the mainstream curriculum a real challenge.

"The students involved in RISE are being young entrepreneurs – coming up with ideas, making decisions, taking risks, making mistakes – but developing their skills and ambitions along the way.

"Getting five schools to work together in this way is very unusual – it's another first for enterprise education in Rotherham!"

Rotherham Ready website
Rotherham