A Hampshire construction consultancy is helping to support young entrepreneurs at a primary school in Southampton. Evolution5 has sponsored a competition at Kings Copse Primary School to help youngsters to acquire valuable life skills outside the academic curriculum.
The innovative initiative gave 30 children in Year 6 the opportunity to plan and organise stalls for the summer fair. Ten teams had to develop a theme and manage a budget to raise money for the school’s Parent Teacher Association (PTA). The team which raised the most money won the competition.
Commenting on the project, Louise Piggin, Acting Head Teacher at Kings Copse Primary School, said, “This competition helps to empower young people and encourage ‘learning by doing’. It teaches the children a range of life skills including teamwork and budget management. The support of Evolution5 made this happen and really helped to promote the value of the project within the school. It adds a new dimension when an external business is interested in what the children are doing.”
Jamie Barrett, Managing Director of Evolution5 said, “We have a longstanding relationship with Kings Copse School and were delighted to support such a brilliant and innovative initiative which celebrates young entrepreneurs. Children are never too young to learn about managing money and to take an interest in the fun and exciting world of enterprise. This has encouraged the children to use their creativity and develop teamwork and communications skills along the way. We were very happy to be involved in it for a third year.”
Evolution5 has an active community engagement programme, which recently enabled two schools to take part in a wildlife conservation project. Other initiatives range from sponsorship of a local Thundercat powerboat racing team and the Solent Kestrels basketball team; the donation of sports and play equipment to schools; supporting two local students with practical work experience for two years, and other activities to help encourage more young people to consider a career in the construction industry.