School Feedback

Don't just take our word for it; here is a snippet of what people said after the events.

The E Factor Enterprise Challenge Events

Linda Garside, The Community Science College at Thornhill

Enterprise skills are an essential part of preparation for adult life and we run activities to help our students develop key Enterprise/Employability skills. Based on the X-Factor, The E-Factor is a very active, fast paced day which involves teams planning, marketing and promoting a new band. All Year 8 are involved in this Enterprise challenge developing communication, problem solving and decision making skills as they work in their teams. This is active learning at its best and has a very competitive edge. We even had our own versions of Louis Walsh and Tulisa as judges which adds to the fun! The resource pack supporting the day is high quality and includes all worksheets, templates for any letters and an evaluation tool kit. As the day is led by Julie she ensures the event runs smoothly and our school staff and governors act as advisers. To keep costs down schools could run the event themselves, after the initial start up costs, meaning there is no further financial outlay. However we have decided to invite Julie back each year as we think she is well worth the money and helps make this annual event for Year 8 such a success. Feedback from all parties involved-students, Year 8 tutors, Governors and Employers was very positive again this year.

Comments from Year 8 tutors-

‘A really engaging day. The ticket making meant all students were excited and concentrating. This led to excellent team working skills’
‘Very good day - the students were engaged all day and learnt a range of skills’
‘A fantastic day - well planned’
‘Challenging and enjoyable’
‘Great-It broke down barriers. Good employability skills’

Katrina Johnson, Archbishop Sentamu Academy, Hull

The E Factor was a huge success for Archbishop Sentamu Academy. It allowed the students to develop their social skills, confidence, as well as develop ideas and solve problems in a business context. Students were able to work closely with a variety of businesses to produce their solutions.

The activities were straight forward but at the same time challenging. Students were on task and focused at all times. Most impressively was the fact that students were willing to present their work to an audience of approximately 130 people. Additionally, it was good to see students working on their entrepreneurial skills.

Feedback from the students and the businesses was very positive. We have also maintained links with some of the businesses for future ventures.

I would recommend The E Factor to anyone thinking of delivering it within their school.

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 Rick Allenby, Enterprise Co-ordinator, Benton Park School, Leeds

Having used The E-Factor Challenge for the first time I am delighted by the outcome of the event. All of our Year 10 pupils were engaged throughout the day and clearly enjoyed learning and enhancing their enterprise skills by 'doing'. The support and delivery of the course by the Creative Learning Events team was excellent and I would thoroughly recommend their services to other schools. We have already booked them again for next year!

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Sally Lane, St John Fisher High School, Harrogate

"A professional, well-organised Enterprise activity day that inspired the pupils to compete, take responsibility, take risks, practise their communication and team work skills and work together with adults. Pupils were engaged throughout the challenges; they were given a chance to shine and we unearthed some star pupil performances. The two activity days were tailored to meet the needs of our pupils and met all our Enterprise requirements. Thank you very much!"

Brad Allan, Head of Business and Enterprise Co-ordinator, David Young Community Academy, Leeds

"Creative Learning has delivered Enterprise days for our year 10 & 11 students for a number of years. I have always found Julie and her team committed to providing a student-centred approach to learning, developing our students' planning, communication, negotiation and presentation skills. The business volunteers who work with our students as 'Team advisors' bring real life experiences to the Enterprise exercises. I have already booked our programmes for next year, testimony to the hard work and effort put in by the Creative Learning team".

Mr A Laher, Head of Business Studies, Garforth Community College. Leeds

We have used Creative Learning Events for a number of years as an important element in our preparation for Year Ten pupils going on their two week block Work Experience Placement.

The reason that we continue to use Julie is our confidence in the high quality of delivery. She is always well prepared and resourced, as well as having good contacts with quality business representatives from various companies who support her in working as group leaders with the students. The activities are geared to the development of Key Skills for the work place and the pace of the day is good, with variety ensuring that the students remain fully focused.

Julie always conducts a brief evaluation with the students and we always receive a copy of the evaluation report shortly after the event.

I recommend Creative Learning Events Ltd to any organisation looking for good quality delivery just before Work Experience.

Brian Easterbrook, Corpus Christi Catholic College

I would like to recommend Julie O'Brien from Creative Learning Events to other schools. South Leeds High School has been in existence for 5 years after the merger of Matthew Murray High School and South Leeds Merlyn Rees Specialist Arts School. Julie has a successful track record at all 3 schools for the programmes that she runs with our learners. The events are extremely well presented, delivered and evaluated and tailored to the individual needs of the cohorts of students with whom she is working.

Barbara Trayer, Deputy Headteacher, South Leeds High School

What the students thought

Primary School Feedback

Thank you for preparing the ever so fun 'E' Factor (enterprise day), as everybody enjoyed it so much and will never forget it! The children who took part appreciate your time of coming down from Leeds and teaching us how business really is in life today. There wasn’t one part of the day that we didn’t enjoy, because you gave us so many activities and new skills to learn. We thought that the funniest part was when you counted down from five and we all had to run to our seats at high speed before you got to zero. Many of us enjoyed the last moment of the day when we all performed our songs with our groups.  -

Year 6 Pupils, Preston Hedges Primary School

Thank you for coming and helping us at our school.  The E Factor really inspired us to think about our future in the business career.  Also we would like to thank you for setting up the enterprise activities.  We really enjoyed: creating the team logos; discussing the team jobs and designing and making the merchandise.  I don't think there is anything we did yesterday that we didn't enjoy it was all very exciting especially when we dress up at the end and had the big concert.  We really appreciate you coming and we hope to see you again. -

Tia and Sam, Year 6 Pupils, St Andrews Primary, Hull

Secondary School Feedback

The E Factor Enterprise day was a good experience, very interactive and got everyone motivated and we got to work in a team. It's a fun day! I have learnt a lot about business and I can use what I have learnt today as future reference. Daniel Y - Year 11 student

"Today has helped me to communicate with others and work as part of a team. I have really enjoyed the event and I thought it was interesting. I enjoyed working with the people from business and I have also improved my business skills".- Ellie W Year 11 student

"I have improved my presentation skills and built my confidence"- Jordy S Year 11 student

"I learnt about the business world and what it will be like at work"- Alice G Year 11 student

Sutton High School, Ellesmere Port - Comments from Year 10 students

Today I liked the designing work and working in a group. I would like to be a designer when I leave school.
-Ricky Wellsbury

I really liked today because I enjoyed all the competitive games. I liked the designing too and working in a team. --Kieran Fairclough

I liked today as we learnt about enterprise and how hard it would be if we got a job. --AmyLou

I thought it was brill. I would do it again another day. It was mint.- Caroline Davies

Parkside High School Comments from Year 10 students

The E Factor Enterprise Challenge was a good day because;
"we learnt more about business"
"we enjoyed working in teams and competing against the other teams made it more exciting"
"working with outsiders (the business advisers) gave us a chance to learn more about their jobs".

Pathways to Employment Event

Wetherby High School has used Creative Learning Events for the past few years to deliver their Pathway to Employment course to our Year 11 students.

Without fail the students have benefited from the interaction with "live" business personnel and finished the course with a good, working knowledge of the job seeking process. The students have also been able to practice their enterprise skills. In the 6 years that I have been responsible for career's and enterprise education this is the only course where some parents have written to the school with thanks for offering such a useful experience.

Organisation of the events has been without fault and the representatives Julie and her team use from local businesses have always been first class. The school is kept up to date with the itinerary and a thorough evaluation takes place after each event. This is all done without fuss and unnecessary paperwork.

Although no longer responsible for organising the Pathway to Employment course I will be recommending that this is one event that is a "must have", the credit for this must be given to Julie and her team.

Jane Jones (Mrs)
Wetherby High School