Eureka Schools - Voted & Awarded Best Website in Hertfordshire 2010

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

‘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.

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 .......

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?

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 ...........

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

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.....

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!!...

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!!.........

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!!!

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

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.....

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

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