When students enter into the Lower Sixth at Abbey Gate College they have the opportunity to complete the Young Enterprise Company Programme, which enables students to find out what it’s really like to set up and run their own business.

Delivered across an academic year, the Lower Sixth students make all the decisions about their company, from raising the initial share capital through to designing their product/service to selling directly to customers. Pupils will then ultimately wind up the company and pay their taxes. All this takes place with the support of Mrs Kitchin (Head of Business & Economics) and our very own Business Adviser, Sarah Chaloner who is a Porfolio Manager at Barclaycard. Together they bring a wealth of business knowledge and expertise to the team.

The students enter various rounds of the competition and if their idea is good enough then the group has the opportunity to attend the UK Final which features around 14 teams battling it out to be crowned UK Company of the Year in London.

Why choose to take part in the company programme?
Develop key employability skills such as leadership, management, teamwork and communication skills: 90% of young people know more about the personal qualities that employers consider as important (Company Programme Impact Report from 2014/15)

Put business and economic theory learnt in the classroom into practice. N.B You don’t have to be studying business or economics to take part in the Company Programme.

Boost your UCAS application and personal statement as universities favour students who have taken part in extracurricular opportunities such as Young Enterprise

An additional ‘wow factor’ to add to your CV

Have lots of fun!