Sam EmanuelCommunity-minded students from six primary schools and three secondary schools have come together to learn about enterprise and develop a range of projects to improve their local areas.Sam Emanuel

Community-minded students from six primary schools and three secondary schools have come together to learn about enterprise and develop a range of projects to improve their local areas.

Each secondary school has been leading primary schools to research and identify projects that would improve an aspect of their local community in a bid to make a difference, as part of Norwich's first Student Enterprise Council, which has been established with representatives of all age groups.

Students from City Academy Norwich joined West Earlham Junior School pupils to organise a fundraising fancy dress fun run to raise money for Norfolk charity Break and the people of Haiti, while The Hewett School led Avenue Junior School and Lionwood Junior School in organising a Be Safe campaign with posters, flyers and signs about not parking near the schools and reflective items to help students be seen.

Sewell Park College students worked with Angel Road Junior School, Mile Cross Primary School and Heartsease Primary School to organise a Day in the Life photo exhibition using the students' pictures of the local area, as well as those taken by members of the public.

The project began in November when the students attended an enterprise launch day at the Kings Centre in Norwich, which consisted of hands-on workshops on the enterprise process, team-building, researching local issues and marketing.

After the launch day, students went back to their individual schools to discuss ideas for projects that could help their communities, and made their final decisions about which to pursue.

Funded by the Norfolk Enterprise Learning Partnership and organised by Hethersett-based Sett Enterprises, the project was the brainchild of Eleanor Mason of City Academy Norwich, who was supported by Alison Marsom of The Hewett School.

Stuart Catchpole, owner of Sett Enterprises, said: 'The students have really engaged with the project and are developing some very important enterprise skills.

'Most of the hub groups have faced set-backs and have had use these skills to stay motivated, formulate new plans and action them to solve the problem.

'We are very proud of the student's achievements to date and are looking forward to their final events in April.'

Has your school taken part in a community activity? Call Sam Emanuel on 01603 772438 or email sam.emanuel@archant.co.uk.