Business Challenge Project with Industrial Trust and Central Foundation Boys School Business Challenge Project with Industrial Trust and Central Foundation Boys School

Academic year 2008/09 - 2010/11

King's Cross Central has developed a three year business challenge project with the Industrial Trust and Central Foundation Boys School. The project is funded by the Cripplegate Foundation and supported by Islington Education Business Partnership (EBP).

In year one, 30 KS4 mixed ability students participated in the project to develop a proposal for Plot B3. The teams were asked to propose a building use and design and to develop a marketing strategy and business plan. This involved the students participating in focused learning sessions covering architecture, design technology, engineering, construction, marketing, presentation skills, business and enterprise. Each session provided an opportunity to work with industry professionals. The project concluded with a presentation of their project proposals by the participants to Project Directors of King's Cross Central.

Year two - evaluation to come.
Outputs

- 30 students involved each year
- 10 King's Cross Central business volunteers involved each year
Feedback / Outcomes

Students were asked to record three things they themselves learnt doing the project. The students top learning points from their perspective were:

- learned more about finance;
- all about architecture/what architects do;
- how the industry works;
- how to use CAD;
- marketing techniques and costs;
- how hard it is to design a building; and
- how business buying/selling property works.


"I think the project was a huge success and a great example of applied/work based learning. Students developed skills in team working, creativity, communication and presentation skills. "
Gary Cross, Teacher, Central Foundation Boys School

"i've seen many presentations by the boys from this school and these are among the most professional I have seen, well done boys."
Ms Fortune, Head Teacher, Central Foundation Boys School

"This is a great way of getting our staff to engage generally in regeneration, particularly engineers and architects and people who are normally very project focused."
Oliver Bennett, King's Cross Central

"During this project I learnt more about the financial, design and business aspects of the industry."
Student, Central Foundation Boys School