Bright Stars

OVERVIEW

Bright Stars is an exciting eight-week programme designed to introduce children in primary schools across Cumbria to leadership, entrepreneurship and the world of business whilst raising money for charity, winning funds for their school and having fun along the way.

Bright Stars is project-managed by CfLP and delivered in partnership with local businesses.

Now in its 9th year Bright Stars has engaged over 60 businesses, 100 schools, over 6000 children, raising over £100,000 for schools and their chosen charities. Business partners and pupils have forged new links, experienced a huge sense of achievement and developed new skills and confidence along the way! 2021 will see young people working together, seeking their views and ideas on how to make a difference.

Videos

Why get involved?

  • Enables businesses to connect with local communities and forge ongoing links with local schools and raise profile in the local community.
  •  Raise the aspirations, confidence and self-belief of young people, get them excited about the world of work and give them insight into business and local careers.
  •  Encourage and nurture creative thinking, teamwork & leadership – in children and in your business team.
  •  Equip our future leaders with the skills they need.
  •  Make young people aware of the benefits of being part of positive change in their communities and the wider world.
  •  Make an impact in your area beyond the world of work.
  • Make a real difference to the lives of young people in your local community at a time when engagement is more important than ever.
  • Be recognised as a responsible employer engaging in high-quality socio-economic activity.
  • Be part of a high-profile fully project-managed quality programme
  • Great PR and brand awareness.
  • Connect with young people & make them aware of what you do.
  • Develop the leadership and external relationship management skills of your own team members.

Bright Stars 2021

We understand that it is tough right now for businesses, as well as schools, but after consulting with the schools everyone agreed that the huge benefits of Bright Stars mean that it must continue in 2021. This year Bright Stars has adapted its challenge from ‘making a profit’ to’ making a difference’. Schools will set-up a mini business with their business mentors and develop a digital campaign around an idea that matters to them.

Bright Stars 2021 started on Tuesday 4th May. You can follow their campaigns below.

Watch inspirational messages from your local MPs…

Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Borders
Mark Jenkinson, MP for Workington

John Stevenson, MP for Carlisle

Trudy Harrison, MP for Copeland
Simon Fell, MP for Barrow and Furness
Tim Farron, MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale

Partners

A wide range of companies have been involved with Bright Stars over the years.

Case Study

Bright Stars- Valley Primary and Morgan Sindall

Business skills, confidence, raised aspirations and business contacts gained from competing in the Bright Star enterprise competition has enabled pupils from Valley Primary School & Nursery to turn their vision for a community gym into a possibility.

Read more

Bright Stars- Valley Primary and Morgan Sindall

Business skills, confidence, raised aspirations and business contacts gained from competing in the Bright Star enterprise competition has enabled pupils from Valley Primary School & Nursery to turn their vision for a community gym into a possibility.

Read more

Quotes

Read below to find out the experiences of the companies and schools that have taken part in Bright Stars.

Bright stars has really lived up to its name. We have developed a school full of Bright Stars who have gained so much knowledge about the world of work and how to run a company. The competition has given our children so many opportunities, beyond what we anticipated. Thank you…read more
Fiona Stobbart, Walton and Lees Hill CE Primary School
I have been involved with Bright Stars since its inception – first as a head teacher and then as chair of the judging panel for the last two years. I have seen the scheme grow and also been able to appreciate the tremendous value it offers to the children involved,…read more
Alex Wilkinson- Cumbria Primary Heads Association
The aim of Bright Stars is to open young children’s eyes to the excitement of entrepreneurship and build confidence by working as a team to run a mini business. Raising the aspiration and confidence of Cumbria’s young people is a vital part of the CfLP’s work. We work with leaders…read more
Sarah Glass, Executive Director- CfLP
It is always so rewarding to be a part of the Bright Stars competition. Not only does it strengthen relationships between schools and businesses, it is also such a joy to observe the journey that the children set foot on and all of the skills they acquire along the way….read more
Clary Hayes- Orian Solutions
Engaging with the Bright Stars Competition has been a memorable event for school. The children’s enthusiasm working with a business partner meant that they learnt transferable skills, became closer to our local community and made a real difference to some of the members of our community….read more
Gary Birkett- Newbarns Primary and Nursery School
Bright Stars generates a tremendous feelgood factor for our staff and it reflects the pride which our business has in the local community. There is also a longer-term benefit – creating awareness among the children of career opportunities which exist within local companies….read more
Jayne Moorby -Oxley Developments
“it’s not like learning, it’s just brilliant!” When a child says that, and you know how much they have really learned, that is truly inspirational learning design.
Pete Davison- Victoria Academy
AECOM have a slogan. Imagine it. Delivered. In week one of competition one of the Ennerdale Bright Stars came up with their equivalent – Small School. Big Minds! This epitomises the passion that the school has thrown at the challenges….read more
Dave Weatherburn-AECOM
A wonderful opportunity for our Year 1 children to get an insight into how the business world works.
Tannya Digedan- High Hesket