Creating brighter futures

The Young Enterprise (YE) Company Programme provides learners with an incredible opportunity to experience what it’s like to run their own business. Our Sixth Form learners competed at the Bristol area level, with the potential to advance to national and even European finals.  

During this, students take on the challenge of entrepreneurship, working together to create, market, and sell innovative products. This year, our sixth-form learners participated with two dynamic teams: Cycled Up and Reglow Glasswork. 

Young Enterprise is open to all our A Level learners, not just the Business cohort, to give students the chance to develop their problem-solving, initiative, and creative thinking skills. This provides them with great real-world experience that they can take to any future business or career. 

The YE Company Programme encourages students to think like business owners. Each team invests their own money as shareholders to fund their ventures. By investing £20 per shareholder, the teams started with £80-£100. Both groups supplemented their funds with bake sales at college, giving them a stronger financial footing to begin their entrepreneurial journeys. 

This year, the learners showcased and sold their products at Bristol’s Cabot Circus Christmas market, with the two teams showcasing their creativity and resilience. Cycled Up presented “paint-your-own-reindeer kits,” complete with paint pots and brushes, and woollen pom-pom snowmen. Reglow Glasswork offered room scents crafted from recycled glass bottles, a pivot from their original idea of making candles, which were no longer allowed under YE’s updated insurance policies. #

Both teams were very successful, with Cycled Up raising £70 in revenue and winning two awards: Best Sales and Promotion and Best Community Engagement. Their paint-your-own-reindeer kits proved to be especially popular. Meanwhile, the Reglow Glasswork earned £95 in revenue and showcased remarkable adaptability, turning a setback into an opportunity by transforming unused candle wax into room scents. 

YE is not a competition simply to make as much money as possible, as all the teams are at different stages and have different levels of resources. They're all selling different products with different prices, so at this stage, learners’ products are scored on various things like customer service. In the final, a big part of the judging is the journey and how much they've learned, rather than how well everyone did right out of the gate. 

Both teams faced product-related hurdles but demonstrated ingenuity and flexibility to overcome them. Cycled Up had to abandon their initial plan of selling custom wooden coasters due to stock delays, pivoting to their highly successful reindeer kits. Similarly, Reglow Glasswork adapted to the competition’s updated regulations by repurposing their candle materials into room scents, avoiding sunk costs and making the best of their resources. 

These challenges taught the learners valuable lessons in problem-solving, adaptability, and creative thinking—essential skills for any entrepreneur. 

While the trade fair was a success, it was only the beginning. Both teams plan to reinvest their earnings into their businesses, preparing for future trade fairs in March and the Bristol Finals in May. The learners are taking their experiences and applying them to refine their strategies, improve their marketing, and enhance their products. 

Meeting competitors from other schools at the trade fair gave our learners a glimpse of what it will take to excel in the competition. They are now more motivated than ever to step up their game and secure a spot in the national finals. 

The event was not only a financial success but also a valuable learning experience. Both teams gained insights into effective sales techniques and customer engagement, building confidence for future endeavours. For Cycled Up, the surprise of winning two awards was a highlight, while Reglow Glasswork’s ability to adapt under pressure showcased their resilience. 

The Young Enterprise programme continues to provide an enriching platform for learners to develop entrepreneurial skills, teamwork, and a competitive spirit. As the competition progresses, both teams are determined to use their experiences to rise to new challenges and achieve even greater success. 

If you are interested in joining our Sixth Form next September, click here. 

Recently, a group of our year 1 Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction T Level learners took to Birmingham to visit the UK Construction Week event at the National Exhibition Centre. 

This event is the UK’s largest built environment trade show, where construction professionals can explore the latest innovations, gain insights from across the industry and network with their peers, with over three leading brands being displayed. 

Learners were shown a variety of different products and materials, including electric diggers, fireproof materials, turnstiles, health and safety equipment and much more. This allowed the students to get a feel for everything, discover the international exhibitors’ products, and meet lots of new people. 

On top of this, there were also several gifts and freebies available from many of the stalls, including items like pens, pads, bags, tool kits, t-shirts, hats and caps, as well as a selection of sweets and chocolates which kept the excitement going throughout the day! 

All the learners actively engaged with everyone, talking to stall holders and asking questions regarding their products. The stall holders explained their exhibitions in detail to the students and were very impressed with our learners and the intuitive questions and incites they had.  

Daniel Comerford, a Construction lecturer at Weston College, said, “All of the learners on the trip had a great time at the show and enjoyed talking to all the different companies that were exhibiting.  

This improved their communication skills but also taught them about new and emerging products and technologies within the UK Construction Industry.” 

This day acted as a good introduction for their Construction T Level as it gave them a better understanding of not only the different available pathways they could enter, but also the existing companies and opportunities that they could experience both during their time at college and after. It also allowed the students to get to know each other better and work with peers that they may not have previously had the chance to get to know. 

Overall, the learners learnt a lot about new products and emerging technologies. They also got the chance to improve their professional skills by communicating with industry professionals and network with them for possible opportunities in the future. 

If you’re interested in applying to our Construction: Design, Surveying and Planning T Level in September, click here. 

Last month, three learners from our Into-Work and Welding programs achieved exceptional results at the National Finals of the prestigious WorldSkills Competition. This event was held in Manchester and tested students’ problem-solving, employability, and creativity skills, and our learners rose to the occasion with remarkable performances. 

Amber Hinton, a second-year Into-Work student with aspirations in childcare, competed in the Foundation Health and Social Care category. Despite being self-taught in this field, Amber’s performance was extraordinary. Competing against Level 2 students, she demonstrated NHS-standard handwashing techniques and tackled complex questions with confidence. Amber’s efforts earned her a well-deserved Bronze medal and 3rd place overall in her category—a testament to her determination and talent.  

Amber said, “my favourite part of the competition was meeting new people as I got to make friends with people in my category. I would do it all again 1000 times over and I feel like everyone should go through and experience it.”  

Jack Stevens, an Into-Work learner who transitioned from an internship to paid work at Uncle Paul’s Chilli Charity, competed in the Foundation Horticulture category. Tasked with creating six planters—three indoor and three outdoor—and merchandising his display with a seasonal garden centre theme, Jack showcased incredible creativity and precision, earning a fantastic 4th place within his category. 

Aidan Pocknell, a Level 3 Plate Welder Apprentice, faced intense competition in a challenging category that tested both his skill and his composure under pressure. His impeccable welds and strong work ethic earned him a Highly Commended award, highlighting his dedication and craftsmanship.

Aidan said, “it went very well! I was awarded Highly Commended and placed 6th out of 10 participants. I’m very happy with how I performed overall! There were a few moments where I felt overwhelmed during the competition, but I overcame them. In the end it was all worth it and it was a great experience that I would encourage anyone to participate in if they get the chance.”

These achievements demonstrate the impact of the Into-Work and Welding programs. From providing the skills necessary to excel in competitive environments to inspiring personal growth, these programs are empowering learners to reach their full potential.

For Jack and Amber, the experience was even more remarkable as it marked their first visit to a major city, making their accomplishments at the WorldSkills Finals a milestone in their educational and personal journeys.

Congratulations to Amber, Jack, and Aidan for their outstanding achievements. Their success is a shining example of what’s possible when passion, hard work, and support come together.