KEY INFORMATION

Recommended age group: 14–19
Time required: varies
Equipment: Run a local event - activity sheet


ACTIVITY IDEA

Discuss what kind of event this could be, for example:

  • an event or activity that's already in the school diary which the students might like to help plan and run, or take responsibility for particular aspects such as refreshments, the budget, publicity, music or welcoming the guests
  • a sports festival featuring Olympic and Paralympic sports such as Boccia or Handball
  • a talent show or drama festival inspired by the London 2012 Opening and/or Closing Ceremonies
  • a family activities event
  • a cookery demonstration with a global sports theme.

The choice is yours but to be successful, the students must show that:

  • they know how to keep track of the money so include a realistic and accurate budget
  • their team shows commitment to the Olympic and Paralympic Values
  • they welcome the local community and respect them
  • they work well together as a team.

The activity sheet 'Enterprise planning' sets out the challenge for the students and takes them through the event planning process.

Getting started

Organise the students into small teams of between four and six and decide on the time available for the project. Allow time for students to choose a company name, design their company logo, agree the Values that their company stands for and establish rules for meetings, e.g. 'in discussions, we will respect the different views of our team-mates'.

Keeping an accurate budget:

  • handling money and financial capability are key aspects of enterprise education. It would be helpful to set limits on the amount of money each team might realistically use as start-up capital
  • advise the students on which elements of expenditure they don't have to pay for if using the school premises, e.g. hire of the venue, publicity, etc. Consider what other resources - including parent volunteers and local businesses - might be available to support the project.

Covering costs or making a profit:

  • not all events will aim to make a profit, for example, a sport or drama festival, but all should require the students to include running costs, and the project must not make a loss
  • encourage the students to be clear at the outset about the money they intend to make and what they would do with the profit if applicable
  • this project provides a great opportunity to make links with the local community.

Showing support for the Olympic and Paralympic Values:

  • the students can show their commitment to the Values through the way they interact as a team and also through their attitude to participants, spectators or customers who attend their event. We can reflect the Values through small actions as well as grand gestures so help the students to make the links between their actions and the theory. For example, saying 'thank you' to a team-mate shows respect, greeting spectators and customers with a smile and a welcome is a demonstration of friendship, and not giving up when things don't quite go to plan takes courage and determination
  • the Values should be a major focus of any social enterprise activity the students are keen to run. Ask them to decide how the Values will be reflected, for example, if they're planning a sports festival, medals and/or certificates could be awarded to individuals or teams who were especially fair and friendly towards their opponents, or who showed real determination from start to finish.

Attracting good attendance

Publicity and marketing is vital if the event is to be well attended. Encourage the students to use different kinds of publicity, both formal and informal. Remind them of the requirement to reach out and include members of the local community

Managing risk

Talk to the students about which parts of their event they consider to carry the greatest risk, e.g. health and safety issues, the weather, poor attendance etc., and what the consequences might be of both failure and success. For example, 'should we spend a large amount of the budget on publicity in the hope of attracting a bigger audience? If this doesn't work we could be out of pocket, if it works we will make a bigger profit'. Encourage them not to back away from difficult decisions but to take a calculated risk.

Rounding off

Decide how you want to end the project. One way is for each team to give a presentation of their ideas, as though they were making a competitive tender. The best idea could be adopted as a real live project. To help you give feedback to the students about their teamwork and enterprise skills, complete the evaluation sheet below. Alternatively, the students can also complete this sheet (individually or in their teams) to reflect on their own performances and also those of their team-mates.