Fostering an entrepreneurial spirit in tomorrow’s leaders


By Jonathan Cohen, Headmaster at Plymouth College


Today’s pupils have a profound entrepreneurial spirit and are more interested in exploring less conventional career paths than previous generations. In a recent survey conducted by


Business Matters Magazine, 82% of 16 to 21-year-olds in the UK said they are interested in starting their own business. Schools must support and inspire pupils to be tomorrow’s leaders and entrepreneurs, using a broader, more dynamic enterprise curriculum and developing strong links with businesses and universities to offer career advice, guidance, opportunity and inspiration. At Plymouth College we provide


education in business, economics, finance, entrepreneurialism and leadership through the Plymouth College Business School. Our new and innovative enterprise curriculum offers pupils a variety of pathways through which they are able to develop their entrepreneurial qualities, skills, knowledge and understanding. We offer bespoke courses in


subjects such as Economics, Business and Finance that are designed to be flexible around pupils ages and stage of learning, giving them enterprise and financial capital that they need to make informed and well-educated decisions throughout their lives. We also run a variety of related activities. Our Entrepreneurial Club gives pupils across the whole school the opportunity to run their own business, understand about


6 Chamber Profile Spring 2020


business fundamentals of good cash-flow, accurate recording of data, research and product or service design. We offer exciting ventures in national competitions including stock market trading, Peter Jones Tycoon competition, and banking and finance competitions. We believe it is vital for schools


to have direct links with business leaders and universities to give pupils the opportunity to learn essential skills for their future career and how they apply to real businesses. We frequently have speakers to the school, sharing their knowledge and expertise through workshops and presentations. Our bespoke curriculum educates the pupils with the theory to excel in their exams but also to become more entrepreneurial and inspired to stand out from the competition. Pupils’ potential for securing a position at the best universities and on the best apprenticeship programmes is nurtured through effective careers advice and experience in the workplace. At Plymouth College, we ensure the type and duration of the experience will be based on pupils’ curiosity, interest, age and stage of education. We want this opportunity to be relevant and enriching, to facilitate the pupils to make the right choices with their


‘We believe it is vital for schools to have direct links with


business leaders’


study and careers when


leaving school. We also offer pupils


flexible learning spaces where they can develop


essential leadership and planning skills, with access to dedicated training to acquire the skills to become future leaders. Our overall aim is to enrich our


pupil’s education by empowering them with the skills they need to


be the next generation of leaders. By nurturing our pupils’ entrepreneurial spirit, we are also encouraging their innovative thinking. We understand the demands of the modern workplace and the aspirations of young people today and, most importantly, we must inspire confidence to empower pupils to achieve their goals.


Visit: www.plymouthcollege.com


About Plymouth College Plymouth College is a non-selective independent day and boarding school for boys and girls between the ages of three to 18. Established in 1877, the school is among those offering the highest value added education of any independent school, in Devon and Cornwall. The school’s purpose is to educate, enrich and empower every single one of its pupils in an environment that is intellectually and emotionally stimulating, progressive and adventurous.


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