New Venture for York’s Independent State School Partnership
The York Independent School Partnership (York ISSP) is delighted to announce a new initiative in association with the Company of the Merchant Adventurers of the City of York and the University of York which is aimed at building business skills for young people in and around the city.
The York ISSP has been established for many years, offering masterclasses, summer schools, residential trips and additional GCSE options for students from its 13 member schools in the state and independent sectors. The partnership was cited as a fantastic example of its kind in the House of Lords and by the Schools Partnership Alliance, and has benefitted hundreds of children through enriching their academic knowledge.
The latest offer from the York ISSP aims to build essential business and entrepreneurial skills. In conjunction with the University of York and the Company of the Merchant Adventurers of the City of York, it has launched an innovative Business and Enterprise project designed for 40 Year 10 pupils from across the city.
Pupils will build a business from scratch by doing everything from identifying a need, to designing a product, to marketing it - which will culminate in a presentation to York business leaders at the Merchant Adventurers’ Hall later this academic year. This project gives pupils an exciting and unique opportunity to think laterally like entrepreneurs and be mentored in real-life settings.
Jeremy Walker, Chair of the York ISSP and Head Master of St Peter’s School said of the new scheme:
“It is really exciting to be part of such a forward-looking and exciting initiative. The ISSP has established a successful track record focused on creativity in academic enrichment, so it is a natural extension to develop the skills needed to take that ability into the workplace. York has along history of entrepreneurship whether through chocolate and railway manufacturing or the science and innovation parks of the 21st Century. Throughout this time, local businesses have been supported by the Merchant Adventurers, so I am delighted that they are sharing their knowledge and expertise, alongside our partners at the University of York. I am very much looking forward toseeing the first student presentations later this year.”
Delma Tomlin, Governor of the Company of the Merchant Adventurers of the City of York said:
“As an ancient York Guild, the Company of Merchant Adventurers has long promoted the learning of commercial skills and given support to the York business community. We are delighted to support this new enterprise with the ISSP, hoping to enthuse and support the learning of these essential entrepreneurial and business skills to York’s next business leaders. This initiative sits alongside our other projects to bring business skills teaching to York’s junior schools and the expansion of the current ‘free to the public’ lectures held in our Hall in partnership with the University of York. We look forward to our members acting as mentors and providing advice to the young people on the course. On successful completion of the programme graduates will attend an Awards Event in the Hall.”
Chris Hiscocks from the University of York added "As an ex-teacher now working with the UniversityI have been exposed to a broad range of innovative ideas from people of all ages. One thing is clear, the next generation are coming up with insightful solutions that often serve a strong social and environmental purpose. Fostering that imagination and vision is key to invigorating the economy and empowering people to create businesses of the future. I am so pleased that this course has been adopted by the ISSP, with its aim of bringing real world skills and experience into the classroom. I think the students will have a lot of fun, and who knows where these early ideas will lead them."
01.02.23