Zina Lewis running a workshop with Langdon Park School Council.

Zina Lewis, a university student, peer trainer in children’s rights, Millenium Award Winner and ex-student of Langdon Park School, has been the support worker for the project. She ran three workshops in January and February.

The first two explored why the students had joined the school council and what their key issues are. The third was a smaller workshop of ten students, created as a research team to visit and interview the local MP, Jim Fitzpatrick and John Biggs the local Greater London Assembly member. The research focused on what it is to be a representative.

Following the workshops a survey was compiled of the key issues and given to the student councillors to ask their forms.

This all lead-up to an intensive two day training session with the national trainers Dynamix which aimed to take the students through the process of setting-up their council as a social enterprise.

Langdon Park School students presenting their social enterprise.

To frame the project in a real world situation the students presented a business plan for their social enterprise to a panel of experts.

This is the objective of the primary phase of the project, the creation of a business plan looking at finance, marketing, objectives and evaluation, and management structure and decision-making.

Through the processes of creating this plan the students learn not only what a business plan is and how to write and present it, but about teamwork, co-operation, decision-making and communicating.

This took place over one and a half days with the Dynamix team of trainers. The presentation being given on the afternoon of the second day.

The School Council are now reviewing and setting-up their structure and communication systems. They are also putting into effect their proposals for action projects: a new water fountain, research into a tuck shop, fund-raising activities, lobbying their MP. This is being facilitated by Zina Lewis, with the support of local social entrepreneur Cathy Ward and Business Development Manager for Social Enterprise London, Jilla Jamfar.

In June the panel met with the council to review what has happened and students will attend a national conference in which all ten pilot projects will share their experiences.