Bright Stars business challenge at halfway point for primary schools and partners

The Bright Stars 2022 business challenge is reaching the halfway point in the competition that challenges primary school pupils to set up their own social enterprise to ‘Make a Profit & Make a Difference’.

Pupils at almost 60 primary schools across Cumbria have chosen the cause or issue that matters to them, and with the help of their business partners are developing ideas that can
bring about change or improvement.

The programme combines face-to-face and online contact for meetings taking place between the partner companies and schools. That enables business partners and schools to choose how best to work together to guide and mentor pupils on how to set up and run their social enterprise.

The 8-week programme began on May 3rd and runs to June 24th

Working in partnership with @CentreforLP Bright Stars provides companies with a unique opportunity to introduce Cumbrian primary school children to leadership, social entrepreneurship and teamwork, and get children excited about ‘making a difference’ and the world of business in a fun and accessible way. We are committed to supporting our entrepreneurs and leaders of the future and helping the pupils to support their social enterprise ideas.

Our school’s business team are competing for prizes in 12 Bright Stars categories including best leadership and teamworking. But most importantly our support team and the pupils we partner are having lots of fun working together!

For companies, Bright Stars creates on-going links with local primary schools, connects with young people and makes them aware of what they do. It makes a positive impact on communities, raises our profile as responsible employers, creates links to other businesses taking part and provides development opportunities for our staff who get involved.

Organised and project-managed by the Centre for Leadership Performance, Bright Stars (now in its tenth year) is delivered and funded in partnership with local businesses. The programme has generated huge benefits for the children. It enables them to learn about key business principles like innovation, budgeting, problem solving and delivering to deadlines, while linking with core curriculum subjects such as English, maths and design & technology. It also builds confidence as they showcase hidden talents and develop new
skills, nurturing creative thinking and aspirations, as well as giving them an insight into how businesses operate in their local areas.

CforLP Executive Director Sarah Glass explains: “The support offered by businesses to fund the programme and partner the schools is absolutely vital – without it Bright Stars could not happen.

“Schools have wholeheartedly embraced the idea of ‘Making a Difference’ because it empowers the children to bring about positive change. They are coming up with some brilliant ideas and with the help of their business partners are turning them into reality to benefit their communities and worthy causes.”

To find out more about Bright Stars visit www.cforlp.org.uk/programmes/bright-stars-primary/