As part of their Social Studies topic on Enterprise, Primary 3 pupils have spent this term taking on the Virgin Money project of ‘Make £5 Grow’. 

At the start of the project, Primary 3 learned what entrepreneurship was from our College archivists Mr Cumming and Mr Montgomery. Learning about the history of our founder Robert Gordon, our archivists explained how Robert Gordon was a businessman, spoke more about our charity status and how Robert Gordon was a big community supporter - something that still resonates to this day. 

Pupils were delighted to then welcome Steve Johnson from Paratus Commercial Services Limited to talk about how to run a small business. Learning about the importance of brands and logos, the pupils discussed with Steve the difference between cost and price. 

Primary 3 also welcomed Calum Wright from Big Manny’s Pizza. Calum spoke to the Primary 3 year group about how to set up a successful business. Mr Wright, a former pupil from the Class of 2010, spoke about how his business supports and collaborates with local businesses, setting up new stores and franchising. 

Each Primary 3 pupil then created an enterprising business, using their £5 loan to help launch their ideas. Businesses included selling home baking, jewellery, sustainable beeswax food wraps, personalised water bottles and homemade jam, to name just a few.  Drawing out their enterprising skills for charity, Primary 3 raised £3940.20 for Cash for Kids, Clan Cancer Support and Cfine. This fantastic total included the £176.00 raised with the help of the Nursery children in their coin challenge. 

Pupils were delighted to welcome representatives from each charity, who explained to all the pupils about their services and how the money raised will support the local community. Each charity then created wish lists. The Primary 3 pupils met with the Nursery children, as part of their Enterprise topic, to identify items to purchase from each charity's wish list. The Primary 3 pupils were very proud to hand over all the items to a representative from each charity. 

At the end of the project, Mr Lowden, Chief Financial Officer of the College and a Gordonian, spoke with Primary 3 about his role, money and budgeting. Miss Johnson, Teacher of Junior School, said: “After the huge success of the Primary 3 enterprise project, Mr Lowden shared his top tips for running a business from a financial point of view including the importance of creating a budget. The children also enjoyed sharing some of their business ideas with Mr Lowden and were very proud of how much money they had raised for three local charities.” 

Miss Jamieson, Principal Teacher of Junior School, shared: “When we embarked on the Primary 3 Social Studies Enterprise Project of Make £5 Grow, we initially hoped the pupils might be able to double their money. The pupils have far exceeded this target to raise a total that has staggered us all. The pupils have taken on board the advice they have received from our different presenters about how to run a successful business. They now have a much greater understanding about profit and loss, customer satisfaction and the importance of successful marketing. It has also been really interesting for the pupils to learn about how the three charities support our local community. Allowing the pupils to select which items should be bought for each charity has developed the pupils skills using the iPad, provided an understanding about the true cost of items and also enabled them to feel that they have had the opportunity to decide what their hard earned money will be spent on. The pupils feel they have successfully contributed to their local community and made a difference to others. We are incredibly proud of all of our Primary 3 pupils.” 

Lucas commented: “During the P3 Enterprise project I have learnt you need to take risks and how to stay positive whilst working to a deadline. I have also learnt not to give up as you can succeed!” 

Nicholas added: ‘I enjoyed Make £5 Grow because we made £3400 more than the teachers thought we would. The total amount we made was this absolutely amazing amount: £3940.20!” 

Alice added: “I loved this project so much. I want to keep running my business but this time to earn pocket money.”