Business Village Concept

Pupils from Years 7-10 are being invited to apply for a ‘Licence to Trade’ which will allow them to set-up and operate a small business in school.

Pupils can run their business either as a sole trader or as a partnership, and will primarily be providing goods or services for other pupils in school (pupil to pupil business). The school will provide advice, guidance, permission to trade for 1½ terms, basic facilities and possibly start-up finance for successful applicants; products on offer would have to be in line with school ethos (e.g. healthy eating). After the licence expires businesses would either cease trading or invited to trade for another licence period. Those applicants not successful first time round would be able to apply for another trading period.

Businesses will be encouraged to make a profit, which can only be taken out of the business at the end of the trading period. However, any profit would be subject to a 10% charity tax. Although partnerships are encouraged, pupils would not be allowed to ‘employ’ other pupils.

Businesses will be co-located inside the school (hence the ‘business village’ concept) and will trade at lunchtimes with staff supervision. Businesses will also be able to rent table and chairs, storage facilities for stock and a cash box for a small charge of ₤2 per half term.