Last month pupils from Wester Hailes Education Centre (WHEC) celebrated receiving a Social Enterprise in Education Award. The pupils run a successful business that buys and sells fair trade and African-themed goods, with profits going towards the school’s partnership with Barkley West School in South Africa. WHEC were one of 24 schools receiving an award at the ceremony, which took place on June 21. Over 200 teachers, pupils and supported attended the ceremony, and WHEC received their award from Mr John Swinney MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth. Mr Swinney said:
The creativity and innovation that has been demonstrated today by our young people is consistently impressive. Taking part in these awards helps them develop the skills and confidence they need to take these ideas and turn them into social enterprises, enhancing their work readiness which will help build the smarter, wealthier and fairer Scotland.
WHEC is one of the many schools in which pupils have been exercising their entrepreneurial skills by running social enterprises. Since 2008 26,000 pupils across Scotland have done everything from caring for the terminally ill to running nail bars. Running a business gives them a chance to change the world for the better and engage directly with the Curriculum for Excellence values.
The Social Enterprise in Education Award was established by the Social Enterprise Academy, which has been working with schools since 2008. After the ceremony the academy received a cheque from Gordon Merrylees of the Royal Bank of Scotland to help extend their reach to pupils in the senior phase of school and those already in further education.
This funding was provided through the RBS Inspiring Youth Enterprise Grant which aims to help 100,000 young people to develop business skills.
To find out more about the Social Enterprise Academy visit www.theacademy-ssea.org or contact Jess Gildener 0131 243 2674 or at jess@theacademy-ssea.org.
