Award success for ‘pioneering’ school
A LLANELLI school has been awarded an EntreCompEdu School Pioneer Award in recognition of their passion and enthusiasm for their entrepreneurial learning journey.
Dafen Primary School welcomed Lee Waters, Deputy Minister for Climate Change, Nia Griffith, Shadow Secretary of State for Wales, Gareth Morgans, Director of Education and Children’s Services Department, Carmarthenshire County Council, UWTSD’s Dr Christine Jones, interim dean of the Institute of Education and Humanities, and local business champion George Parker, of Parker Brothers (Contractors), at a two-day event to showcase their entrepreneurial skills.
Felicity Healey-Benson, International Institute of Creative Entrepreneurial Development (IICED), UWTSD, representing as lead partner and the school’s EntreCompEdu trainer, hosted the event which was led by head teacher Mrs Iolan Greville.
The guests were treated to a full immersion of ‘entrecomp’ skills through the multiple projects and work outputs, from nursery through to Year 6.
Felicity, a parent of three children in the school, and parent governor of Dafen School, originally pitched the project to her governing body in January 2020.
Gareth Morgans, director of education and children’s services department at Carmarthenshire Council, said he was impressed that the entire school had been involved. “The EntreCompEdu project success reflects the school’s wholehearted commitment to the new Welsh curriculum,” he added.
Nia Griffith, Shadow Secretary of State for Wales, further complimented the staff and pupils on their vision and resilience, and the depth of the entrepreneurial work achieved, highlighting the enthusiasm and passion conveyed.
Llanelli MP Ms Griffith said: “It was great to hear both staff and pupils talking so enthusiastically about the projects they undertook to help them understand the world of business and commerce, as well as developing vital life skills like working with others.
“A big well done to everyone involved and good luck with helping to share your experiences with other schools both across the UK and worldwide.”
Lee Waters, Deputy Minister for Climate Change, said: “I was very impressed with the pupils and staff at Dafen Primary School, who despite all the extra pressures of the pandemic, have qualified as the world’s first Pioneer School for socially responsible entrepreneurship. The skills the pupils have developed like curiosity and goal setting aren’t just fun but will help them to become confident problem solvers for the rest of their lives. It’s an exceptional achievement for the school after such a difficult year.”
UWTSD’s Dr Christine Jones, interim dean of the Institute of Education and Humanities, celebrated the EntreComp framework work, which had originally launched on UWTSD campus, adding that a framework will only bring value if there are individuals who embrace it with enthusiasm, energy, and passion, as exemplified in Dafen School.
She said: “At UWTSD entrepreneurial education is core to our values and informs our mission to transform education and to transform lives. We are proud to be part of a community which embraces the changes needed.”
Councillor Rob Evans, Gareth Edwards, chair of governors, and George Parker, local business (Parker Brother Contractors) and community champion, also praised the breadth and depth of the projects and collaborative, financial, and creative competencies demonstrated.
In line with Covid safety protocols, Dafen Primary School’s rescaled event also provided the opportunity for the pupils and students to showcase their strong bilingual oracy and creativity and commitment to sustainability, ethical practices, community engagement, and resilience.
“The EntreComp (Entrepreneurial Competence) framework has been a useful means to decode and gain confidence with entrepreneurial language,” said Miss Singleton, Foundation Phase.
Mrs Muldoon, Early Years, commented on the positive focus of entrepreneurial learning that “leverages the high levels of innate curiosity that young children bring into the education system.”
“Already staff are motivated by how much creativity and innovation they can capture and build upon, from our outgoing curriculum, thus celebrating what we already do well whilst working on new skills challenges for the new curriculum,” said Mrs Greville.
EntreCompEdu has demonstrated clear alignment with the new four purposes and has enabled teachers and their leaders to effectively consider how Donaldson’s Successful Futures can be implemented.
Out of 52 countries partaking in the project from January 2020 to May 2021, Dafen School was awarded the status of first Global EntreCompEdu Pioneer School due its whole school immersion in the project and continued commitment to entrepreneurship as demonstrated in its quality outputs in Global Entrepreneurship Week.
All Dafen staff appear in a Global Online Yearbook and to share best practice across the global educator community.
Their work has been showcased in a number of national and global events including the global online EntreCompEdu website and café and the Enterprise Educators UK conference. The materials are available in seven languages including Welsh.
AN outdoor market featuring young traders in Llanelli town centre has been celebrated as a success.
The event was organised by Carmarthenshire Markets in cooperation with the Llanelli Community Partnership, Llanelli Town Council and Dyfed Archaeology Trust.
It gave an opportunity for young entrepreneurs aged 16 to 30 to come together and meet with like-minded business owners, build confidence and grow their businesses.
Ultimately, some will be offered a free casual market pitch on Llanelli outdoor market for six months and may also get a chance to represent Llanelli in a national competition.
Llanelli’s deputy mayor Cllr Sean Rees, who attended the event, said: “It was a pleasure to attend the Young Traders Market and see the great talent that Llanelli has to offer.
“Congratulations to Cameron Reardon of Bugbox, Hannah Megan Thomas of Hannah Megan Jewellery and the children from Coedcae School for showcasing their great trading skills.
“All of them have worked so hard to get to where they are now and have very bright futures ahead, I wish them every success.”