Step Up with Enterprise at Charleston Academy

Representatives from Morgan Sindall recently supported Charleston Academy's "Step Up with Enterprise" event, helping young people develop new skills and gain an insight into the world of business and construction.

On the first day, Patrick and Colin joined around 150 S1 pupils as they took part in a business challenge centred on developing and marketing a product. Throughout the activity, pupils explored key aspects of running a business, including finance, design, quality assurance and negotiation.

Patrick and Colin supported the challenge by taking on a variety of roles, including banker, builders' merchant, quality controller and prospective buyer, helping pupils test and refine their ideas in a realistic and engaging environment.

The challenge was designed around the school's values and encouraged pupils to consider the question, "What does kindness mean to you?" Success was measured not only by commercial performance, but also by how well teams demonstrated kindness, collaboration and positive decision-making throughout the exercise.

On the second day of the event, Colin and Philip delivered a hands-on bird box building session. Around 70 pupils took part in the practical activity, developing teamwork and construction skills while learning more about the built environment. The remaining pupils engaged in discussions about careers in construction and the wide range of opportunities available within the industry.

Across the two days, the event provided valuable opportunities for pupils to build confidence, develop transferable skills and gain a better understanding of future career pathways, while strengthening links between education and industry.