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About social enterprise schools
Innovated in partnership with the Scottish Government, Social Enterprise Schools enables every young person to step up, realise their potential, and create the change they want to see in the world. Now in its 15th year, this fully-funded programme delivers transformational learning by engaging young people in the real-life experience of running their own viable business while making a positive impact in their communities. This pupil-led programme supports young people to identify environmental or social issues they want to solve and inspires them to establish a sustainable social enterprise business in order to make that change happen. The programme facilitates transformational learning for all involved while developing young people’s skills for the future, enabling them to make a difference in their community. The Social Enterprise Schools team provides teacher and pupil support throughout the year with dedicated area coordinators, online resources, teacher CPDs, facilitated pupil workshops, dragons’ den competitions, mentoring from social entrepreneurs, and the chance to be recognised at the national Social Enterprise Academy Awards.
Social Enterprise Schools continues to grow every year and over 1,100 schools across Scotland have taken part and many of their social enterprises are still active today.
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Around the world
There are inspiring young people creating positive change around the world as Social Enterprise Schools grows in Australia, Egypt, South Africa, Malaysia and England. Find out more:
Muirtown primary Soap-topia!
Tell us about your social enterprise
29 P5 pupils at Muirtown Primary School in Inverness set up their social enterprise called Soaptopia and learned all about different roles within a business aswell as how to apply their maths, science, literacy and communication skills in a real-life context. The pupils learned how to make soap and created some wonderful scents including green apple, clementine and prosecco, black cherry and honeysuckle!
They produced home-made packaging by upcycled and decorating clam shells sourced from local fishers. They were able to successfully sell their products at school events and ran a hugely popular stall at the Social Enterprise Academy Awards and Marketplace in Inverness attended by Maree Todd MSP. After being featured in the local newspaper their financial target was reached and Soaptopia were able to purchase a bench for residents with learning disabilities at Maple Ridge Care Home for them to enjoy in their garden for years to come.
