Primary School Programme

Through the Primary School Programme Young Enterprise is providing the youngest members of society with a truly innovative education experience. Designed specifically for pupils aged 4 to 11, this programme provides building blocks for skills development and understanding of the 'world of work'.

The Primary Programme consists of six modules, one for each year of Primary education, each of which is run over five one-hour weekly sessions. These sessions are presented in-curriculum by Business Partners working in partnership with the classroom teachers. Through practical, fun activities, role models engage pupils and help them understand how and why individuals, families, communities and nations work together.

The programme helps to foster positive working relationships between business and education as well as allowing children to understand and prepare for the world of work. It supplements core elements of the National Curriculum, particularly with its links to literacy, citizenship and personal and social health education. Feedback from teachers illustrates how the Primary School Programme sessions support work that is already happening in the classroom by providing materials and ideas that reinforce learning.

The six modules that comprise the Primary School Programme have been designed for primary year groups from Reception Year/ Year 1 through to Year 6. Each module can be used as a stand-alone programme. However the fullest impact is likely to be realised if pupils can experience each module sequentially from reception through to Year 6. In this way successive modules build upon previous knowledge, ideas and skills.

There is an evaluation opportunity at the end of the fifth session of each module. Where appropriate, pupils may go on a visit to their Business Partners place of work to experience the reality of what they have been taught in the classroom.

The Six Primary Programme Modules

Ourselves (4/5 year olds) focuses on individuals and the roles they play in society as workers and consumers. Basic concepts of earning, saving and working together are taught through fictional characters in a series of stories read aloud by the Business Partner. The ideas are reinforced through practical activities and by the Business partner sharing their work and play experiences.

Our Families (6/7 year olds) identifies what a family is and how family members work together to achieve their goals. Pupils learn to identify and distinguish between a need and want. Pupils also see how different family members are able to satisfy their needs and wants by working together.

Our Community (7/8 year olds) leads pupils through a discovery of community activity, people and businesses that operate within the community. Pupils learn how to take responsibility for their community through voting and decision-making. They are also taught the importance of money moving through the community and how the government works in order to support services for the well being of its citizens.

Our City (8/9 year olds) identifies businesses that can be found in a typical city and the types of workers they require. Pupils learn how workers apply their skills to their jobs and how their jobs make a difference in the city.

Our Nation (9/10 year olds) introduces the pupils to the basics of starting businesses. The pupils discuss career options, production techniques, marketing and sales presentations relative to the business they might set up.

Our World (10/11 year olds) Pupils learn that countries of the world rely on each other for their resource needs and wants. Through a trading game, enterprise challenge and presentation discussions pupils aim to simulate and understand the global challenges faced by nations.