Business and Enterprise Colleges

Different kinds of schools supported by a different kind of business
The Co-operative College and the Co-operative Group support a network of eleven Business and Enterprise Colleges, providing a sponsor governor in every school, organising regional activities and national events, creating a network for head teachers, training staff in school and developing curriculum materials.

Over 90 per cent of England’s schools have achieved specialist school status, choosing from one of ten specialisms. To achieve specialist status, they have to submit plans detailing how becoming a specialist school will help them raise achievement and strengthen ties with the local community. The application process also requires raising £50,000 of external support, with sponsors ranging from small local enterprises to FTSE 100 companies.

In 2003, no co-operative or mutual enterprises had become prime sponsors of a specialist school. This coincided with many co-operative organisations, including the Co-operative Group, exploring ways they could help engage young people in co-operatives, at a time when it seemed co-operatives had largely disappeared from the curriculum. The Co-operative College teamed up with Mutuo, the Specialist Schools Trust and Co-operative Action to establish a network of colleges specialising in Business and Enterprise.

If the co-operative and mutual movements are to survive and flourish, they need to inspire young people through their values, actions, diversity and global application. Co-operative Business and Enterprise Colleges provide a unique opportunity to do this and broaden the appeal of co-operation to a new generation.

The College has also helped schools in the network to develop a wide range of international partnerships with schools working with co-operatives across Europe and Africa building curriculum links and teacher and pupil exchanges.
For more information email schools@co-op.ac.uk or call 0161 246 2966.