schoolslightbulbmoment

We're finalists in the Hertfordshire Business Awards !

2011-11-17T04:57:00.000-08:00

Press release for immediate release

Eureka Youth, a community interest company based in St Albans, have been shortlisted for the prestigious Hertfordshire Business Awards.

The company was founded on the belief that everyone given time and creative space can surpass their own expectations.

In the current economic climate, the number of young people who are not in education, employment or training (so-called NEETs) is rising. Eureka Youth believe that by instilling belief in one’s own abilities and through the correct guidance and coaching you can dramatically improve an individual’s chances of getting onto the career ladder.

The Eureka NEET Enrichment and Youth Job-Readiness programmes help young people to build the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to better equip them to get a job and secure their economic well-being. Usually delivered on behalf of local authorities as an innovative means of supporting their youth provision, these engaging programmes have helped over 70% of young participants to achieve nationally recognised qualifications and be motivated to get back into education or work.

The programmes offer far more than careers advice with activity focused around practical sales, marketing and customer service skills that can be applied in a wide variety of roles in the commercial world.

Eureka’s work isn’t confined to people over 16 years. The ethos of the company is that pupils are never too young to learn the skills that will give them the confidence to operate within the increasingly competitive commercial world they will enter.

Patricia Seabright, founder of the company said, “Eureka is run by a series of people who are all passionate about improving the life chances of our young people. As parents ourselves we know how important it is to give children the belief in their own abilities and with careful nurturing they can achieve amazing things.”

She went on to add, “We are delighted to have been shortlisted for the ‘Supporting Young People’ award. The true rewards, however, come from hearing how we have changed for better the path of the young people we have coached.”

The awards will be announced at a glittering ceremony at Knebworth Barn hosted by Paul Ross on November 24th 2011.

ENDS

All pass!

2011-06-17T04:02:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to all participants of our recent ISMM Sales & Marketing course, which we ran on behalf of Central Bedfordshire Council - all young people who took part passed their exams and are now ISMM Level 1 qualified in Sales & Marketing as well as Customer Services Skills - well done!
Watch this brief video to learn more about this inspirational programme.
We are proud to confirm that they have all now secured work placements and are taking positive next steps by enroling in further education programmes and/or looking for full-time work/apprenticeships. Good luck for the future, team - Eureka are here to offer support whenever you need it!

A Chance to Shine

2011-05-27T05:43:00.000-07:00

Eureka have long been vocal about the need to bring business, enterprise and life skills to young people - both in school, where it should not just be seen as an alternative to established GCSEs and A-Levels but as an important addition to all their studies and chosen future career paths - as well as to so called NEETs - young people who find themselves not currently in education, employment or training. Patricia recently had an in-depth study published in the Institute of Sales and Marketing Management's magazine 'Winning Edge' - you can click here to read her views on how to bring this important knowledge to Britain's young people to enable them to achieve economic well-being - meaning a brighter future for them and the country as a whole!

"Schools not nurturing entrepreneurial dreams"

2011-03-21T07:34:00.000-07:00

We were upset - though sadly, not surprised - at Eureka recently when we came across an article on the 'enterprising women' website about how our current education system is failing to support our young people in realising their entrepreneurial dreams.

At Eureka, we are passionate about conveying our years' worth of personal business and enterprise experience to young people who want to have a go at turning their often inspirational visions into fruitful reality; however, again and again we run up against too much red tape and not enough funding to allow us to run our engaging enterprise and life skills programmes in schools and for NEET young people via councils.

Thearticle quoted a report by Enterprise UK, which had polled 1,000 14-19 year olds across the UK last month and showed that

51% of those polled would like to be their own boss (however, only 5% will actually set up a business)
only 1 in 5 believe that their school encourages them to become entrepreneurial
a whopping 56% thought (like Eureka!) that business education should be mandatory at school
1 in 4 said that TV programmes like Dragons' Den teach them more about business than their school

Shocking statistics. Surely with the desire present to learn about enterprise and business skills, schools and local authorities - with sufficient government support - ought to be able to tap into this enthusiasm and support their young charges in becoming fulfilled and successful entrepreneurs who achieve economic well-being instead of adding to the ever-growing youth unemployment figures, which currently stand at 20.5% - the highest level since 1992!

Contact Eureka to find out more about our tailor-made business, enterprise and life skills programmes on 01727 850668.

ISMM programme for Central Bedfordshire Council

2011-02-03T04:53:00.001-08:00

We're at Eureka are really looking forward to getting stuck into our upcoming ISMM programme in Houghton Regis!

Commissioned by Central Bedfordshire Council, we will work with a small group of NEET (not in education, employment or training) young people from the area to give them invaluable employability and life skills.

As in most of our programmes, we will deliver engaging workshops around the subject of finance, business and enterprise skills, as well as more immediate advice on how to best present oneself, how to engage with people and how to get that all important job interview...which will hopefully lead to bigger and better things.

Our ISMM programme is especially useful as sales and marketing knowledge are useful and important for virtually any career - all aspects of Sales and Marketing are explored and dealt with in an engaging manner, meaning that our young people will learn - in an often fun and interactive way - in depth requirements (eg how to sell ethically and how to market their business) as well as much more pragmatic skills like how to excel at customer services and to get ahead in life.

All successful participants of our programme will be awarded a nationally recognised qualification in Sales and Marketing (Level 1) from the industry's body - the Institute for Sales and Marketing Management (ISMM) - and the chance of paid work experience at the end of the course. Following on from the programme, Eureka will lend ongoing support in form of one-to-one clinics where we hope to be able to prepare our young people for upcoming job interviews or help themwith their cvs and encourage them to apply for suitable positions.

We are really looking forward to our enrolment day in February and cannot wait to meet our budding entrepreneurs....

Youth Speaks!

2010-12-10T03:54:00.000-08:00

Patricia was excited to be invited to judge the first round of Rotary International's YOUTH SPEAKS Competition recently.

Staged at the SandPit Theatre at Sandringham School in St Albans, this competition saw 12 teams from local schools compete for one of the coveted spaces in the next - District - round of this national event (the UK final takes place in Surrey on May 1st 2011).

On the night, the Intermediate teams convinced with their well-structured performances and their emotional arguments on topics ranging from 'Taboos' in modern youth society to overrated and overpaid football stars compared to the real heroes of hardworking emergency services staff. Appropriately entitled 'I need a hero' took first place for Verulam School, with the judges being especially impressed by Speaker Delyan Yanev's ability to field questions concerning his main points in a confident and self-assured manner. His team members were Isaac Keeley (Chair) and Kieran Zielinski (Proposer).

Things hotted up after a brief interval, as the Senior teams took to the stage. Passionate delivery and well carried out research into topics such as 'Penal Reform', 'Prejudice' and 'Free News' impressed the judges and audience alike. Rupert Neaves, Angus Keeley and Fraser Reid of Verulam A presented a moving case for the legalisation of euthanasia ('Whose Life is it anyway?'), which was counteracted by a more humourous review of George W Bush as set in scene in a most entertaining way by Sandringham's Sassoon Moskafian, Jack Wheater and Andy Lazell.

The winning spots, however, went to Verulam and Beaumont. Verulam's B Team, consisting of Andrew Sear-Black, Alex Astley and James Biggs, were awarded with second place for their convincing argumentation against Penal Reform. They were runners up to the deserved winners from Beaumont School - Hugh Ingamells (Chair), Sam Went (Speaker) and John Clough (Proposer) - who delivered a perfect speech entitled 'Elitism in Education'. Their thought-provoking reasoning as to why Public Schools are counter-productive to today's society coupled with their confident yet relaxed presentation style, made it easy work for Patricia and her fellow judges to declare them overall winners of the Senior event.

Both Beaumont and Verulam B Senior Teams, as well the Verulam Intermediate Team are through to the next round of the competition, but we would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all participants on their hard work and entertaining entries.

Public speaking is an important life skill, which is why Eureka Schools CIC were only too happy to support this event. As part of our bespoke business and enterprise programmes, which we run for primary and secondary schools as well as for councils, we also give young people the chance to maximise their employment potential by presenting themselves in a positive, self-assured manner - confident speaking is one of the many areas our professional facilitators can offer support and coaching in.

Why not contact us for a no-obligation chat to see what we can do within your school - our workshops range from 1 day taster sessions through to long-term programmes delivered at times to suit you. All our sessions are fun and educational at the same time, and are delivered by facilitators with strong backgrounds in business, enterprise, sales and marketing.

kwhitehouse@eurekaschools.co.uk

Interview with Patricia Seabright, Eureka Schools - listen now...

2010-11-26T05:50:00.000-08:00

Patricia had the chance to explain Eureka Schools' work and concept on local radio recently. In an in-depth interview with Radio Verulam's Friday Focus presenter John Stephenson, she eloquently set out her vision on how we can help young people who find themselves out of education, employment or training to regain some sense of self-belief and a feeling of self-worth, whilst also equip them with the necessary life skills and business knowledge to help them become employable or start up a business venture of their own - thus easing the pressure on the public purse as well as giving them much-needed direction and focus for a better life.

It was very fitting that Patricia's interview was followed by a discussion with the current Minister of State for Business and Education, Mark Prisk MP.

To hear Patricia's interview, which also offers some valuable insight on the work Eureka does within primary and secondary education, listen to the podcast now.

On the radio....

2010-11-12T02:49:00.000-08:00

Eureka will be on local radio next week!

Tune into 92.6 fm (Verulam Radio) on Friday, 19th November, at 2.30pm to listen to our very own Patricia Seabright being interviewed on the Friday Focus Show by John Stephenson.

Towards the end of Global Entrepreneurship Week, it will be a great opportunity to discuss current enterprise and business issues, with a focus on how to get young people, including those who are not currently in education, employment or training (NEET) interested and involved, too. As ever, Eureka is pleased to have the chance to explain how important it is to work with young people and to provide them with necessary business, enterprise and life skills, and how this can be achieved in an easy, fun way and relaxed environment.

See www.eurekaschools.co.uk for more information on what we believe in and how we achieve it!

5 minutes with Lord Sugar

2010-11-01T09:49:00.000-07:00

Eureka! Came across the most fascinating interview with Lord Sugar today. A brief 5 minutes, but a frank review of his life. Lord Sugar remembers being very poor as a child, his hard teenage years and starting a business 'out the back of a van'.
Fast forward to today and he regularly appears on the Times Rich List, has been appointed to the House of Lords,where he advised the government on the Business Link and is often referred to as 'the man who revolutionised British business'.

It just goes to show - with a little bit of guidance and some self-belief and hard work, everyone can succeed, no matter what their beginnings in life!

Watch the interview by clicking here!

2010-10-25T04:13:00.000-07:00

We really feel for local councils who stand to receive 12% less funding for their most important Youth Services, as announced in the Comprehensive Spending Review last week. Children are our future! - which is why Eureka put so much into providing children and young people with life skills and thus preparing them for the real world!

Dragons' Apprentice 2011

2010-09-29T05:57:00.000-07:00

Eureka were invited to St Columba's College last week for the launch of The Dragons' Apprentice 2011.
Now in its second year, this great initiative offers young people from local secondary schools the opportunity to try their hand at running a business - starting out with £100 which they are supposed to turn into £1000 by the end of January 2011 - with all monies raised going to their chosen charity.

Eureka are looking forward to working with 'The Men in Black Productions' from St. Albans School, offering them guidance and support where needed, whilst already getting excited about their various business ideas.

The team will be trying their hardest to raise funds for St. Albans City Youth in order to support their important community projects, including giving boys, girls and children with special needs the opportunity to play organised sports.

The Dragons' Apprentice 2011 is organised by the CVS St. Albans.

For more information, contact kwhitehouse@eurekaschools.co.uk

Global Entrepreneurship Week 2010

2010-07-20T07:31:00.000-07:00

Global Entrepreneurship: Driving recovery, seizing opportunity

Global Entrepreneurship Week 2010 will take place from 15 – 21 November at the British Library. It is an opportunity to showcase and celebrate all the amazing work that goes on year-round. It is a rallying point for a worldwide movement of entrepreneurial people, exposing millions to life-changing entrepreneurial experiences.

• What will your school do during Global Entrepreneurship Week 2010?
• Are you planning to run a Global Entrepreneurship Week event?
• Do you need some advice on running your enterprise events?
• Are you ready to go for future Global Entrepreneurship Weeks?

As a dynamic training company specisling in business and enterprise courses for young people, Eureka's mission is to unlock young people's entrepreneurial potential, and empower young people with financial, business and entrepreneurial skills through innovative education ......'making it real'!"

Eureka agrees with what Gordon Brown claims that "Every young person has something to offer; every young person has a talent if unlock will make a contribution to the economy and their society. It's our duty to do everything we can to help young people to unlock these talents for the future"!

Eureka believes that Global Entrepreneurship Week 2010 It’s not just a week! It’s a life time!

If you or your school is thinking of a business and enterprise event, or you want to expose your students to life-changing entrepreneurial experiences, or are interested in preparing for the Global Entrepreneurship Week, please contact Donna Cranny, Eureka Schools' Manager

T: 01727 850668
M:07758 414091
E: dcranny@eurekaschools.co.uk
W: www.eurekaschools.co.uk
Eureka House, 6 Althorp Road, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 3PW

2010-06-29T07:57:00.000-07:00

Eureka’s Business and Enterprise Project – Final Competition
Maple Primary School

Having described how successful Eureka’s Business and Enterprise trading day was in our last case study (see below), the final competition of Eureka’s Business & Enterprise project among Year 6 students @ Maple School was as impressive as the trade day.
The final competition was in the form of a presentation and took place on 23rd June 2010 @ Maple School where both Year 5 & Year 6 students took part. Eureka judges Donna, Patricia and Jana participated in this event and were impressed by the lively and professional way the presentations were delivered.

Six teams - Sweet Stuff, Nice Cream, Funky Fruit, X-Treme Style, Quake Shark and Style Sensation - presented on the stage in turns. The presentation itself demonstrated the students’ great team work skills with good delegation tasks for each presenter. Students were wearing their marketing t-shirt and sandwich board, holding their posters and advertisements on the stage. The presentations were well structured with informative content and brilliantly delivered with the use of drama, dancing and singing. Presenters smartly handled judges and audiences’ questions and showed full competence in running and managing their businesses.

The final result of each team’s business project considered the business project as a whole over the last 6 months:
• How good was the business idea
• How much money did the business make
• How well the business was executed
• What they have learnt
• How well it was presented.

Having considered all the aspects that show students’ business and enterprise skills, team work skills and presentation skills, Eureka judges awarded the Winning Team to Sweet Stuff; Nice Cream were runners up, and third place went to Style Sensation! Prizes (books) and winning certificates were awarded to the winning team and runner-up team members. Congratulations are due to all the teams who did a fantastic job! Eureka believes that Maple School Year 5 students must have learned a lot from how well their seniors have done.

The success that Maple School year 6 students achieved demonstrates how Eureka brings real commercial expertise and business experience into the class room and makes it part of young people’s learning experience. Eureka believes that the success the Year 6 students achieved through Eureka’s Business and Enterprise project will help them develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes to succeed in the future.

Should you interested in our Business and Enterprise programmes, please contact Donna Cranny, Eureka manager on 07758 414 091 or017 27 83 23 51 or email dcranny@eurekaschools.co.uk.
For more information, please visit our website: www.eurekaschools.co.uk.

Eureka End of Term Activity - Speaking Competition

2010-06-14T14:09:00.000-07:00

Eureka End of Term Activity - Speaking Competition

Eureka's Voluntary Community Service @ Maple Primary School
On 9th June 2010, Eureka voluntarily ran a successful speaking competition with coaching for Year 5 & 6 students @ Maple Primary School. Eureka coaches Patricia, Donna and Kathryn ran this Event.

The event started with interesting and engaging exercises in voice, breathing, body language and handling nerves, all of which are important for a speaker to make a good speech. Through these sessions, students not only had fun but also learned a lot of the important aspects enabling them to make an impressive speech.

After a break, each student made a ‘Just a Minute Practice’. First, each student was asked to come up with a topic, write it down and put it in a hat. Then, each of them had to randomly pick one topic and do a ‘one-minute’ speech in the front of the other teams. After each speech, Eureka coaches pointed out each speaker’s good practices and shared these with others; on the contrary, negative points were discouraged and made speakers and audience students aware. The speaker was given a chance to do a self-evaluation. Under Eureka coaches’ instruction, positive and negative points of each student’s presentation were collected from the audience. Feedback made students aware of their own strengths and weaknesses, and ideas of how to make a good speech.

Back from lunch break, the preliminary competition started amongst 14 groups. With the objective to enhance students’ presentation skills as well as team work, groups of 4 students were comprised of 2 from Year 5 and 2 from Year 6. Among the 4 group members, students had to nominate 1 as the Chair, 1 main speaker, 1 question handler, 1 closer with equal delegation tasks on one speech topic. Each group was given an equal amount of time for their presentation and rehearsal, while Eureka coaches went around to each team, observing and offering valuable comments and advice.

Under Eureka coaches’ training and nurturing, the preliminary presentation competition went impressively well. Presentation topics were timely, popular and interesting, from big topics like The Forthcoming World Cup, Global Warming and Music to daily discussions like schools uniforms, mobile phones and computer games. The way each student presented was extremely impressive: the fluency, confidence and team work; the correct use of voice, body language, demonstration and eye contact; the appropriate use of questions, and the professionalism, all of which made the Eureka coaches very proud.

At the end of the presentation, top performance teams went through to the final round of the competition were announced. Eureka is looking forward to coming back for the final competition - date to be confirmed.

Eureka believes that successful speakers can make great presenters and can be trained when they are young.

Posted by Donna Cranny - 14th June 2010.

Dragons Apprentice

2010-03-18T06:46:00.000-07:00

As a sponsor of Dragons Apprentice, Eureka Schools are pround of the success that 'dragons' and 'apprentice' achieved. Your contribution to the local charity and community is highly appreciated! Well done you all!

Eureka Schools - Voted & Awarded Best Website in Hertfordshire 2010

2009-12-17T09:54:00.000-08:00

Eureka Schools - Voted & Awarded Best Website in Hertfordshire 2010
Congratulations to the Eureka Team, whom WON the website of the year 2010 in association with FL1 Group.

We are incredibility proud and our Website clearly winning this award helps demonstrations our aim and vision in nurturing the next generation, bringing commercial and financial expertise, coupled with business experience to our young people through schools, holiday clubs, youth centres and making it part of a young person’s everyday experience.

Eureka delivers through play and games at a younger age and commercial activities and simulation as they grow older.

Posted by Donna Cranny – 17th December 2009.

Invitation to vote for the FL1 Group Website Design of the Year 2009

2009-11-23T04:56:00.000-08:00

Invitation to vote for the FL1 Group Website Design of the Year 2009

It's that time of the year for Awards (and parties) so FL1 Group has pleasure in inviting you to participate in the very first FL1 Website of the Year Awards.
Judge which of the 6 short-listed websites you like the most.
You can base your decision on looks, content, accessibility or just on first impression, you choose!

Just give it the number of stars you think appropriate!
As a Thank You for taking part, you will receive a Virtual Goody Bag with vouchers and offers from our Award partners as well as an invitation to the Awards Ceremony and Christmas Networking event on Monday 14th December.
It is very easy to take part, just:

Go to www.FL1group.com/awards

1. Vote on each website in order of preference
2. Submit your vote
3. Receive the Virtual Goody Bag of offers and our FL1 Newsletter
All votes must be submitted online by midnight Friday 11th December 2009; one nomination per person.

The winners will be announced at 7.30 pm on Monday 14th December at The Buon Amici, St Albans at the St Albans Networking Co-operative Christmas event.
Many thanks for your participation.
Donna Cranny

dcranny@eurekaschools.co.uk
Office:- 01727 850668

Schools Question Time 2009/2010

2009-11-03T06:17:00.000-08:00

Schools Question Time 2009/2010

What is Schools Question Time? Schools Question Time is a Political Literacy and Citizenship Life Skills initiative supported by the Institute for Citizenship, Parliament's Education Service, and the BBC. The initiative is designed to provide a unique chance for young people to participate in activities which will encourage them to become active and informed citizens. How can my school get involved?

There are three ways your school can involved: - Through an exciting Challenge for 14 - 18 year olds - for more information on how we at Eureka can help, contact us :-
Donna Cranny

please visit our web site @ www.eurekaschools.co.uk or follow our blog:- http://schoolslightbulbmoment.blogspot.com/

dcranny@eurekaschools.co.uk
Office:- 01727 850668
Mobile:- 07758 414091

Rotary Youth Speaks – Public Speaking Competition on 19th November 2009 - supported by Eureka Schools

2009-09-29T05:50:00.000-07:00

Rotary Youth Speaks – Public Speaking Competition on 19th November 2009

The competition is open to teams of three people representing their school in an Intermediate and Upper category. Each team chooses their own subject on which to speak. The team consists of a Chairperson, who has two minutes to welcome the audience and to introduce the Speaker and his or her subject matter. The Speaker is then allowed six minutes on their chosen subject, after which they should be prepared to answer one question from a Questioner. After this the Chairperson should introduce the third member of the team who proposes a Vote of Thanks, can sum up and respond to the question for two minutes.

The winning teams will progress to a District Final due to be in February 2010, and thereafter to Regional and National Finals.

The two age groups mentioned are: Intermediate for pupils under the age of 14 on 31st August 2009, and Upper for those students 14 and over, but under 18 on the same date.

Posted by Donna Cranny 29th Sept 2009

Eureka Schools - Newsletter - September 2009

2009-09-22T03:16:00.000-07:00

Eureka Schools - Newsletter

September 2009 -
Enterprise Week – 16-22nd November 2009

IN THIS ISSUEEnterprise Week 16th to 22nd November - 'What's your approach?

Eureka provides services to help schools and other organisations in their delivery of Enterprise, Work Related Learning, Life Skills and Citizenship programmes. We deliver engaging and motivational training events and curriculum, with differentiated programmes, targeting students from 9 to 19 years of age.

All Eureka programmes are delivered by our expert trainers (all CRB Checked) and aimed at increasing the personal performance of staff and students to reach their potential
QUICK LINKSwww.eurekaschools.co.uk
Offering a Alternative Fun Approach to Enterprise, Money and Business

Are you looking for an exciting activity day for your students?

Do you want to broaden your school’s Enterprise and Financial Literacy programmes?

With Enterprise Week fast approaching – 16-22nd November 2009.

Why not be ahead of the game and call us to find out how we could help and support you with your Enterprise Activities!

Eureka provides exciting, motivational and fun workshops, designed to give young people more choices in life based around starting a business and personal money management.

Our programmes cover Entrepreneurship, starting a real Micro-Business and Financial Literacy, and are designed to coach students in developing new personal skills. Our programmes are flexible and suitable to any timetable.

For more Information and Details of our Programmes -
Contact: Donna Cranny on 07758 414091
Or email dcranny@eurekaschools.co.uk or visit our web site www.eurekaschools.co.uk

Be ahead of the game this Enterprise Week - 16 – 22nd November 2009

2009-07-08T02:54:00.000-07:00

Interested in offering your pupils an alternative and fun approach to Enterprise, Money and Business?

We deliver engaging and motivational training events and curriculum, with differentiated programmes, targeting students from 9 to 19 years of age. Eureka provides exciting, motivational and fun workshops, designed to give young people more choices in life based around starting a business and personal money management.

Are you looking for an exciting activity day for your students?
Are you prepared for Enterprise Week – 16 – 22nd November 2009?
Do you want to broaden your school’s Enterprise and Financial Literacy programmes?
Would you like help with your Enterprise Activities?

Eureka workshops cover the following national curriculum areas:
Enterprise
Work Related Learning
Life Skills
Citizenship programmes.

We deliver engaging and motivational training events and curriculum, with differentiated programmes, targeting students from 9 to 19 years of age. Eureka provides exciting, motivational and fun workshops, designed to give young people more choices in life based around starting a business and personal money management.

Why choose a Eureka Schools programme?
Wide choice of modules covering: Entrepreneurship,starting a real Micro-Business and Financial Literacy, Designed to coach students in developing new personal skills.
Flexible and suitable to any timetable.
Delivered by expert trainers (all CRB checked)
Aimed at increasing staff and students personal performance so that everyone reaches their full potential Why not be ahead of the game and find out how Eureka Schools can help you to deliver your enterprise curriculum?

For more Information and Details of our Programmes Contact:
Donna Cranny on 07758 414091Or email dcranny@eurekaschools.co.uk or visit our web site www.eurekaschools.co.uk

Maple school (St Albans) year 6 graduate as mini dragons

2009-06-18T03:39:00.000-07:00

Maple school year 6 graduate as mini dragons

Maple School has instigated an innovative enterprise education programme where year 5 and 6 pupils benefit from a day a term of learning on enterprise. The programme, run by us, uses games and exercises to teach children life skills around business, money and social enterprise.

This week year 6 pupils staged a business fair where businesses that they had come up with, sold their wares to the rest of the school and parents. The businesses they had varied from enterprises selling popcorn, greetings cards, fake tattoos, cot mobiles, juices and ice cream floats. The profits they made went to fund a commemorative autograph book for each member of year 6 and to the PTA fundraising campaign for new computers for the school.
The fair was followed by a presentation where Maple school year 6 graduate as mini dragons

This approach has been particularly successful because it represents a consistent and consolidated learning rather than a one off event. One of the children said, “I’ve learnt that business is fun” another said “money is important and I need to take care of it and save it”, perhaps a valuable lesson for all in the wake of the credit crunch! Who knows maybe the next generation of junior apprentices or Dragons Den entrepreneurs will come from Maple School!
he teams presented their business results and the learning they had derived from the 2 year programme. A judging panel of local business people then awarded prizes and “business graduation” certificates to all.

Post by Donna Cranny - 18th June 2009

Growing the next Apprentices

2009-06-11T03:18:00.000-07:00

News Release: Eureka Schools - June 2009

Growing the next Apprentices

Eureka Schools is a business of which Sir Alan Sugar (soon to be the Government’s new Business Tsar) would surely approve!

Based in St Albans, The Eureka Schools programmes offer, fun and interactive workshops that teach children from as young as 9 up to 16 years old the essential financial and business skills needed to survive in today’s competitive world of business.

As with the BBC Apprentice programme, the pupils learn through interactive activities. They explore the origins of trade and business, learn the importance of research and grasp the concept of supply and demand. Pupils also identify their own enterprise skills, consider the benefits of competition in the marketplace and explore the moral dilemmas that businesses face. These engaging lessons allow students to develop life-long personal, social and enterprising skills and attitudes.

Donna Cranny of Eureka Schools says “A Eureka Schools workshop certainly isn’t as gruelling as the 12 weeks that Kate and Yasmina had to endure to reach the final. But the lessons we teach during a Eureka Schools workshop certainly have similarities to those learnt by the Apprentices!”

During the 12 weeks Sir Alan’s apprentices washed cars, chose new products to sell to retailers, sold skeletons to strangers in pubs - and who can forget the creation of Pants Man! At every step along the way candidates failed to grasp the essential nature of the task and heard the immortal words ‘you’re fired’.

Donna Cranny says ‘At Eureka Schools we certainly don’t fire the pupils! Instead we give them the skills and confidence that they can then build on so that one day they will be the one that hears the words ‘You’re Hired”

And now Sir Alan is adding a search for a young apprentice and the programme makers are currently seeking apprentices aged between 16-17 years.

We will have to wait and see if any of Sir Alan’s chosen candidates have the benefit of Eureka’s training!

Eureka is a dynamic training company specialising in delivering tailor-made training courses for primary and secondary schools in financial literacy, enterprise capability and entrepreneurship education.

Their specialised programmes include:

Youth Programmes delivered through in-school classes, workshops, courses and customised programmes that offer participants exciting and engaging activities. These programmes are designed to develop personal finance, investing, entrepreneurial, business and life skills within students of all ages.

Developing life-skills is integral to the programme delivery. All programmes teach practical skills in managing money and preparing young people for jobs. In addition, they raise students' self esteem, confidence, problem-solving ability, motivation and communication skills through challenging games and activities, teamwork and goal setting.

A day in the life of Donna Cranny.......of Eureka Schools

2009-06-03T03:30:00.000-07:00

A day in the life of Donna Cranny, Business Manager of Eureka Schools ............

HT (Headteacher) ; we’ve had a bad ofsted on enterprise , unfair on teachers no time etc how can you help ?

DC:- well firstly let me just say that we can certainly offer Enterprise, business and life skill programs and a range of activities to fulfil your requirements, but also deliver them for you! No burden for you allowing you and your teachers more time......Our trainers and our people have a wealth of business and education experience to share!!!.

HT:- what age groups do you work with ?

We start from as early as year 5 (aged 10) primary school level all the way through to age 16 and in fact we now offer ‘youth interview Coaching’ too, which is other string to our bow!!! We feel it’s important to start these all important life skills as early as possible!

HT:- won’t the kids be bored by biz ?

Gosh NO!!...they are living and breathing it as we sit here......The Apprentice, Dragons Den, The Speaker......we can build on what’s all around them and put it into practice in their working / school environment!

HT:- how do you make it interesting?

Always fun, interactive, and game based...to give you an example of this....price is right – one of our modules is where we get the children to consider which is the most expensive - house, diamond ring, holiday or car......interesting enough they often say (especially the girls) the diamond ring, as not many people have one of these!!! Another example of this is when we ask each group to ‘get creative’ and propose via a presentation their Business Ideas to a panel in a competitive way!!!

HT: - you say you do financial education too, but we don’t want to turn them all into grasping bankers

Well I think there is so much press about bankers, credit crunch, but do they really know what it’s all about!! We help and teach them about all the different aspect of money and how it impacts on them and their world, mortgage, credit card, loan, interest rates! There is so much available but no teaching available!!! ....example £200 budget/board game - life decisions...Nike trainers v’s House Brand, Saving or Investments!!

HT:- sounds good but I’m not sure a 1 off workshop will make much difference I agree we at

Eureka could work in partnership with you to mould a consistent message to be woven into school life. To give an example, some schools we work with have one day per term with additional sessions / activities built into their school timetable so there is a consist theme throughout the school year.

HT:-Does it costs a fortune?

No it’s great value for money, considering what you get - valuable input, resources, content and our wonderful experienced people and some schools have found if budgets are a challenge, they can ask their PTA for support!

HT: - so is it just Biz/ finance training?

No we offer a wide range of programs / activities to support young people ....recently we have just initiated a new program called The Speaker Program, as I mentioned earlier...we also offer young interview coaching - our aim is to offer a well rounded approach to Life Skills to support the next generation of dragons!!!

‘Non-offending career!’ With Eureka - Life and Enterprise Skills for our next generation!

2009-05-17T11:47:00.000-07:00

‘Non-offending career!’ - With Eureka - Life and Enterprise Skills for our next generation!

Combining a cognitive-behavioural approach with experiential methods, we create programmes, which involve participants in a series of group and/or individual games and exercises. These are designed to help individuals understand more about the values, behaviours and skills people need to begin and develop a non-offending career or business for them-selves, but in an enjoyable, accessible and memorable way!

This gives our facilitators an opportunity to identify the areas for development which is then the focus of the skills-practice based sessions designed to engage and motivate individuals and leave them with the confidence and understanding to take steps towards an exciting future!
Our work can last for anything from ½ a day to a 3 - month intensive programme and will address how to earn, manage, and enjoy money covering, issues such as;
An introduction to the possibilities of entrepreneurship

The value of making smart money decisions while young
The impact of advertising
Representing yourself well
Being a wise consumer and how to avoid the overuse of credit
The value of money and their own attitudes to spending & saving
Communication, problem solving, time management and business speaking
How our attitude to money is shaped by the world around us
Social responsibility in business and the world around us
Money making opportunities in meeting the needs of their communities
Using their own skills and talents to kick start their Life Journeys

Our team is drawn from Business, Education, Commercial, Criminal Justice System and The Media. All of our facilitators have an understanding of Cognitive-behavioural Theory(Beck, 1976; Ellis and Grieger, 1986; Beck and Freeman, 1990), and Eureka’s work is underpinned by Social Learning Theory (Bandura 1977). We believe our all-rounded approach to Life Skills is essential for the next generation of adults.

For more information or to talk to us about how we can support you and your teams, give us a call on 01727 850668 or 07758 414091.

Are schools producing young people who are work-ready.

2009-05-06T06:23:00.000-07:00

There's a perception that schools aren't producing young people who are work-ready.
Research by CBI reveals some sad facts about how employers see today's school-leavers.

· 74% said school=leavers lack business awareness
· 67% said they don't know how to manage themselves
· 53% said young people lack knowledge about their chosen jobs and careers
· 50% said that young people don't have the skills needed for work.

Depressing, certainly. But perhaps not all that surprising. For too long the worlds of education and businesses have been too far apart.

That's why we at Eureka help children prepare for the real world.

Eureka is about nurturing the next generation, about bringing commercial expertise and business experience into the class room, providing a all rounded approach to Enterprise Education by inspiring commercial acumen, business and financial skills in school children, through play and games.

A Town Called Eureka .......

2009-04-29T02:58:00.000-07:00

A Town Called Eureka .......

Great minds!!!....I’ve just discovered a TV Series namely ‘A Town Called Eureka’...!!
Eureka takes place in a high tech community of the same name, located somewhere in the Pacific Northwest (implied to be Oregon, due to the presence of Oregon maps and flags.) and inhabited entirely by brilliant scientists working on new scientific advancements for the United States government that frequently go disastrously awry. The town's existence and location are closely guarded secrets.

So in the same vain Eureka Schools are building ‘A Planet Called Eureka’ with our innovative and brilliant Life Skills and Enterprise Education Programs for Young People!!!

Posted by Donna Cranny 29th April 2009

Twitter? Or not to Twitter? – That is the Question?

2009-04-23T01:31:00.000-07:00

Twitter? Or not to Twitter? – That is the Question?

In spite of all the hoo-ha and the fact that it might be about to become part of the Google stable, findings from a survey of internet marketers in the UK, which found that only 2 per cent of businesses have used the micro-blogging sensation Twitter as a marketing tool."Twitter is undoubtedly the hottest thing on the web at the moment. It has been fully embraced by the mainstream, and millions of people are now receiving blow-by-blow updates on the lives of their friends and even celebs from Stephen Fry to Ashton Kutcher. It has also impacted greatly on the media - publications are now tweeting headlines and journalists are using Twitter to share stories, appeal for information and post their own scoops before anyone else

So are you Twittering yet? Go on have a Twitter!!!

Posted by D Cranny 23rd April 2009.

End of Term Extended Learning / Activity Days - Speaking Competition....move over The BBC The Speaker ...........

2009-04-22T03:37:00.000-07:00

End of Term Extended Learning / Activity Days

Speaking Competition

The recent BBC programme called “The Speaker” on BBC 2 is in search of Britain’s best young speaker. The show highlights the importance of being able to speak in public and the positive affect it can have on an individual’s success in life.

“The Speaker” is subtitled “great things happen when you speak up”. It is aimed at young people aged 14-18 and certainly is an important skill for young people. It can give them the abilities and the confidence to be able to persuade, influence, stand up for their view points and make their voice heard. This is critical in whatever walk of life they chose to pursue.

Working in conjunction with Archimedes Consulting’s Presentation Team, Eureka is delighted to be able to give you the opportunity to run your own version of “The Speaker” in your school.
In a 2 or 3 day programme that can be tailored to your needs: ~

Just like in the programme, the young people are coached to design and prepare their speeches
They get to rehearse and be coached by professionals with backgrounds in business, acting/performance, voice coaching and/or television journalism
They are videoed and have the opportunity to get video feedback
There are heats of the speaking competition
We hold a grand final with a judging panel drawn from the school teachers/ governors and the Archimedes Presentation Team

For the young people this represents an entertaining and exciting activity for extended learning / end of term weeks, but also it is giving them some valuable learning and experience.
Archimedes Consulting Presentation Team works with CEOs and other senior managers in the corporate sector.

This collaboration with Eureka Schools is a unique opportunity to bring some of the highest quality presentation coaching into the school environment.

For more details see www.eurekaschools.co.uk or call 01727 850668 / 07758 414091

Posted by D Cranny - 22nd April 2009 .....

Public Speaking Prize Up for Grabs....Watch out the BBC

2009-04-10T04:17:00.000-07:00

Well done to St Mary's College (Crosby, Liverpool) who will represent the North West in London final of a Prestigious National Public Speaking Competition later this Month!!!

Just 10 schools from an original entry of more than 500 will compete on Saturday 25th April.

The school is very lucky to have such skilful and engaging speakers and they are set for a very exciting weekend in the Capital.

These competitions promote clear communication, with our young people and encouraged them to act in a polite, non adversarial way!

Good luck St Mary's..........

Posted by Donna Cranny of Eureka Schools 10th April 2009

How to grow up to be the First Lady.....

2009-04-08T03:30:00.000-07:00

How fabulous to hear Michelle Obama tell the girls at Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Comprehensive School in Islington – London – “I never cut class - I wanted to get straight A's. It’s cool to be smart!”

So fill your mind with facts, figures and uplifting philosophies then, to paraphrase Rudyard Kipling – you’ll be a woman my daughter!

As a specialist in Enterprise Education and Life Skills Training Company we applaud you – First Lady!

Posted by Donna Cranny of Eureka Schools - 8th April 2009

Great things happen when you speak up!!...

2009-04-06T13:28:00.000-07:00

As a Training Company that specialises in Enterprise and Life Skills Education.

We are very excited about the forthcoming BBC programme called “The Speaker” on BBC 2 this week!

The search for Britain’s best young speaker. The show will highlight the importance of being able to speak in public and the positive affect it can have on an individual’s success in life.

“The Speaker” is subtitled “great things happen when you speak up”. It is aimed at young people 14-18 and it certainly is an important skill for young people. It can give them the ability and the confidence to be able to persuade, influence, stand up for their view points and make their voice heard. This is critical in whatever walk of life they chose to pursue.

This is very close to our hearts here at Eureka Schools and I for one will be watching and listening closely!!!

Posted by Donna Cranny - Eureka Schools

Enter the Face Book Graduates!!.........

2009-04-02T03:28:00.001-07:00

As a Training Company that specialising in Life, Business, Money and Enterprise Skills for Children and having recent attended a ‘blogs, pods and wikis’ seminar, lead by the lovely Sabra Swinson and Jason Sammon. I was particularly interested in the article recently published in the Daily Mail.

‘Enter the Face book graduates’.....

If you thought online social networking was just an idle pastime, think again!!

A university is to offer a master degree covering sites such as Face book, Twitter and Bebo.
Students will learn how to set up blogs and podcasts online and also how to use the sites in communications and marketing!!

So which students will this appeal too...ones just looking to go into professions including journalism and PR? Or will many more industries need this as a string to their bow?!

So this new ‘social media’ is the network to be in for sure!

Posted by Donna Cranny of Eureka Schools -

St Albans starts a hot cross bun fight!!!

2009-03-31T05:19:00.000-07:00

As a Business Training Company that specialises in Life, Business, Money and Enterprise Skills for Children and based in St Albans, we had a particular interest in the article published in the
Daily Mail – Monday March 20th, page 9.

After 2,000 years, St Albans starts a hot cross bun fight!!

You wouldn’t have thought there’d be much mystery about the humble hot cross bun.
It’s hot, it’s got a cross on it and er, it’s a bun!!
But now the good folk of St Albans have decided to claims it as their own – the ‘Alban’ in fact.
The Dean of St Albans, Dr Jeffrey John, says cross-marked buns were actually invented in the Hertfordshire city by a monk.

Father Thomas Rockliffe developed an original recipe for the sweet spiced bun in 1361 and distributed them to the local poor on Good Friday.

Posted by Donna Cranny of Eureka Schools.

Has Jamie Oliver's campaign actually harmed efforts to create healthy kids

2009-03-30T04:43:00.000-07:00

The Big Question: Why has the drive for healthy school meals faltered, and can it be revived?
Has Jamie Oliver's campaign actually harmed efforts to create healthy kids?

Yes...
* In the year following the campaign, take-up of healthy school meals fell by 5 per cent in secondary schools

* Researchers said more children were swapping school premises at lunchtime for fast-food chains

* Even tougher nutritional guidelines being introduced may lead to an even bigger fall in healthy eating at school

No...
* Take-up stabilised in the second year – and an increase was recorded in primary schools

* Teachers reported pupils' concentration increased in the afternoon if they had eaten a school dinner

Interesting article published and reported in and on the national news - Wednesday 25th March...So what are your thoughts??...answers on a post card please!

Donna Cranny - of www.eurekaschools.co.uk

Eureka Press Release - Growing the next Apprentics.....

2009-03-26T06:19:00.000-07:00

Eureka Press Release

Growing the next apprentices

Donna Cranny of Eureka Schools says, “It always amazes me how often the apprentices featured on the popular BBC series seem to lack some of the most basic business and money skills the pupils that have benefited from a Eureka schools workshop would certainly give the Apprentices a run for their money.”

In the opening episode of The Apprentice the candidates were given a bucket and sponge and asked to set up a cleaning company, the winning team was the one that made the most profit. Donna Cranny says‘ At Eureka Schools we run a similar class room based activity. We have certainly had many groups in the past who would have certainly performed better than Sir Alan’s two teams.”

So whilst we may be gripped watching the Apprentice local pupils are busy developing their skills that means they one day will be the new Alan Sugar. Watch out Sir Alan as it may be St Albans and Hertfordshire (tailored to local papers) pupils which will be saying ‘your fired’.

Eureka's Virgin Blog

2009-03-26T06:18:00.001-07:00

Welcome to Eureka’s virgin blog.....
With spring in the air, Ray Quinn the new Dancing on Ice Champ.... and the Fifth Series of another batch of business hopefuls in The Apprentice starting, this week also sees the launch of Eureka’s new web site providing you with an insight into our exciting Money and Business Programs ... instilling important life and enterprising skills into our next Business & Financial Generation!!!

Watch this space for our next Blog.....
Donna Cranny