Raise and Shine! Breakfast Clubs for school children expand across the country

Increasing poverty has brought the problem of hungry school children to critical levels, with teachers reporting rising numbers of children unable to concentrate or misbehaving in class as a result of not having been fed properly at home before arriving at school.

Schools across the country are responding to plea for help by setting up 'Breakfast Clubs' for students. Typically there is no discrimination between those families that can afford it and those that cannot, every pupil will be able to start their school day fed and ready to learn. It is really important that as many parents as possible take up the new service as it will save them money and it positively contributes to making a collective effort to get children into school bright and early, and ready to learn.

Proponents of free school breakfasts say they the service will improve pupils' academic concentration, attendance, behaviour, encourage healthier eating habits and help improve relationships between parents and the school. All of this is good stuff isn't it and what we want for all children?

A charity called Magic Breakfast is the leader on this initiative, flying the flag high for it's need. Demand is high, they now have over 140 schools on their waiting list. This week two regions have stepped forward in a big way, London has invested £650,000 to helping over 50 schools in London and Blackpool has promised 12,000 primary school students breakfast every morning.

We work with schools across the country and think Breakfast Clubs are a wonderful initiative. We have been surprised, and disappointed, to see some people commenting negatively about them. Many feel that it's not the school's responsibility to provide this service and parents should be feeding their children before the day has begun. The fact is many don't bother. Either due to poverty, lack of education about how important the first meal of the day is, or a general can't be bothered behaviour! We often see school children in my local shop and petrol station filling up on junk. Are we suppose to turn a blind eye and ignore it, or do something about it? I'd always stand for the latter.

Education about healthy eating is key for young people so they can understand, influence and lead the next generation. Child obesity and diabetes are growing at an alarming rate, changes need to happen.

TV impact on the classroom and student learning

TV shows like ‘The Apprentice’, ‘Dragons Den’ and ‘The Secret Millionaire’ have had a huge positive impact on young people. They have opened up their eyes to the world of business, passion for enterprise and made entrepreneurship sexy! Being your own boss is achievable.

You sometimes do find that the stereotypes associated with business still do exist, that all entrepreneurs are white middle aged men wearing suits. The reality is very different!

Last year we saw a 15% increase of 16-24 years starting their own ventures and we’re now seeing more start-ups from women than ever before. The new Start Up Enterprise Loan being offered by the government is a step in the right direction and will give many their first step on the business ladder. In addition to the cash support young people also receive a mentor, whose time and experience will be invaluable to facilitate their learning curve. More details are available here http://www.enterprisenation.com/slk/

The School Speakers team have been glued to this year's series of The Apprentice. We would like to welcome on board Adam Corbally and Nick Holzherr  as speakers. We asked students and teachers who their favourite characters were from this year’s show and these two gentleman topped the scoreboard. Read about Adam and Nick on their speaker profiles.

Carl Hopkins and Sue Stone from The Secret Millionaire already visit students through School Speakers. We were touched, and inspired, by entrepreneur Matthew Newbury’s episode during May 2012 and we’re delighted that he is now available to visit students too. Matthew’s profile is available here.

We have a number of student enterprise days available, The Apprentice and Dragons Den, themed being very popular, see here.

Why good, objective careers advice is needed for students.

School Speakers passionately believes that all students should have to good, objective careers advice. We have a wealth of speakers who visit students all across the UK inspiring and advising on career destinations, employability skills, CVs and interview techniques. To view our careers speakers please click here

Speaking recently at the Institute of Career Guidance - Commissioning Career Guidance Services conference in York, David Andrews OBE listed four key reasons to invest in careers guidance. These were:
1.    The 14-19 education system and beyond will not work without careers guidance.
2.    It is not possible to reduce the number of young people Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) purely by having a targeted support service.
3.    Results will go up as careers guidance raises aspirations, increases motivation and raises achievement.
4.    10% of students starting a higher education course do not complete. Careers guidance encourages research so students are informed about their journey.

These outlined points came in the week that the Department for Education confirmed its statutory careers guidance requirements which all schools must deliver from September 2012. Under Section 29 of the Education Act 2011, schools now have a duty of care to secure access to independent careers guidance for their pupils in years 9 to 11. Careers guidance secured under the new duty must:
•    Be presented in an impartial manner
•    Include information on the full range of post-16 education or training options, including Apprenticeships
•    Promote the best interests of the pupils to whom it is given

Through the new requirements, schools have been made more accountable for the successful progression of students to further education, higher education and skilled employment, providing independent guidance along the way.

Why Enterprise and Entrepreneurial skills are important for young people

In a fast changing world, which is becoming increasingly competitive, it's essential for young people to leave school with a range of skills that are needed to survive life outside the classroom. These skills can be referred to as an 'enterprising toolkit' and its content is at the top of every employers agenda; ultimately as educational leaders it is our responsibility to help students gain their first step on the employment ladder. An enterprising mind-set has been proven to support academic performance, confidence and all round aspiration. It is key for young people to understand the importance of social responsibility and how it's an integral part of tomorrow's business world. In the wider world we should ask all young people to use their talent, contribute and make a difference. We have a number of speakers visiting schools to teach students enterprising skills.

1. Being a young person in today’s world job hunting, or deciding a career path, is a bit like walking over an exploding mind field. You only have to pick up a newspaper or turn on the TV to see the ever depressing statistic bombs going off:
2. The pool of 16-24 years old unemployed seeking benefits has now risen to a staggering 1.3 million and doesn’t show any signs of slowing down.
3. A recent survey revealed that top employers feel that 1 in 3 students leaving school do not have the appropriate skills for today’s work place.
4. A record number of graduates are unable to find work with an estimated 30% of last year’s leavers still unemployed
5. It’s estimated that there are approx. 150 young people venturing after every one opportunity – whether that be a job, apprenticeship or university place
6. The increased cost of going to university has deterred a suggested 10% young people from applying to university

The days are long gone from students being on one way transmission completing A Levels, walking into university and then strolling into a semi-guaranteed £25k a year job. Alternatives to university are urgently needed and starting your own business is now a valid career option for young people, we saw an increase 15% of 16-25 entrepreneurs in 2011.Employers have a long list of skills they demand from their work force and young people are expected to arrive at work day one with some of these. The top 100 employers were asked the key skills they wish for from young recruits:

Good communication skills, applies to written and verbally English
Good attitude – hard working and eager to learn. Realising that they’ll have to put in the hours and start at the bottom to climb the ladder.
Be a team player and also have the ability to lead.
Use their initiative and be proactive.
Take a risk, grab a challenge and push themselves out of their comfort zones!
Be emotionally robust and resilient to change (including rejection and failure).

Antprentice You're in Business

Mad Ants are a National retail sports company who have decided to revolutionise student enterprise in the UK by placing their companies Infrastructure to encourage and develop work related learning for enterprising students.

Student teams from schools/college/universities will have the opportunity to run their very own mini sports retail business with live products and complete practical business tasks under the leadership of the Mad Ants Directorship team, the team with many years experience in education, creative design & marketing, finance & business have the perfect knowledge to lead and develop the teams. The term long project culminates in a business awards evening. A team building event for the winning team and a 2-6 week paid summer Internship for the most enterprising student at Anthill House.

Students will undertake 8 workshops covering all aspects of business. Learning vital skills in management, finance, marketing & sales. As well as covering all areas of key skills, the project covers the curriculum delivery of Economic Well being and Financial Capability as well as 6 hours of Student Enterprise learning.

Free Careers advice for students from Young Chamber

Most of us use social media technology – in fact, I’m using it now, in writing this blog.

So I’m really pleased to see that schools and students can take full advantage of it to boost enterprise activity and help them make the right decision on jobs and careers.

The 5th Matrix has been created by Young Chamber UK, and because I am their Honorary President, I got the chance to launch this new on-line careers and networking platform recently.

5th Matrix helps students to research, develop and collect information about careers opportunities, and the skills and training required, in a fun and interactive way. It means young people of just about any age can explore jobs and careers, share information, and make contact with businesses in a safe environment.

To find out more and sign up: http://www.youngchamber.com/fifth_matrix.aspx

January Sale

School Speakers January Sale

2011 has been a busy year for School Speakers! We have now over 165 speakers registered with us, delivering workshops and talks across all areas of the curriculum on a nationwide basis to students of all ages and skill levels.


As a thank you for your continuous support if you book a speaker before the 31st January for academic year ending July 2012 and you will receive a discount of 20% off the speakers fee.

Contact us for more information.  01924 277343 or email enquiries@schoolspeakers.co.uk.

We would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

School Speakers