Our Business Education curriculum is designed to equip students with entrepreneurial spirit, financial literacy, and strategic thinking. From hands-on projects like the MES Choco-Expo, to real-world business experiences gained from the Young Enterprise Initiative, our students get invaluable insights and practical experience that prepare them to become the innovative leaders of tomorrow.
At The Mary Erskine School, one of these experiences is the highlight of the third term, the Choco-Expo. This is a whole school event where our S3 Business Education students bring their A game, according to Business Education Teacher, Mrs McAuley; “It is the highlight of the summer term calendar for pupils and staff. However, it's not just about the one day. There's a lot that goes on behind the scenes. Students are working on their marketing mix for weeks beforehand, pulling together all their ideas. They're applying the theory that they've learned in class and producing an extravaganza at the actual Choco Expo.”
The atmosphere in the Mar Hall, where the event takes place, is always electric. In the weeks running up to the event, each team applies a theme to their chocolate product, and their imagination knows no bounds. Previous years have included a range of themes such as Mean Girls, Bridgerton and James Bond, just to name a few.
The chocolate products are tasted, rated and voted on, and one group is crowned Choco Expo winners. Prizes awarded are Best Product, Best Packaging and Best Promotion However, Mrs McAuley is keen to state that it’s not just about the look and taste; “I'd say the product is obviously there front and centre, so if it tastes bad then that's not going to really work! But all the market research that's gone on, the development of ideas and the strategies the students have applied, such as product, budget, pricing, where they're going to sell it, all that work can't be discounted, and is taken into account on judging.”
And beyond the buzz of the Choco Expo, Business Education gives our students a real understanding of how business works. For S5 Higher Business and Economics student, Hope, her classes have given her a broader outlook on the world: “My favourite thing about business and economics is that they leave me with a real understanding of the world around me, as well as the role of the government. They help me to have a better understanding of the news and current economic and social issues.”
Business Education is not the only area of the curriculum through which students can study and learn key entrepreneurial skills. Our students can also study National 5 Business Management, National 5 Economics, Higher Business Management, Higher Economics and Higher Accounts which is offered as a Sixth Form subject. Many students go on to take Advanced Higher Business Management and Advanced Higher Economics.
And for those who really want to get stuck in to the world of entrepreneurship, we run a Youth Enterprise Programme where our students come up with a business idea, develop a business plan and work together as a team to produce the product, which is then sold at a Trade Fair. Students go up against teams from different Schools, and have the opportunity to present their products and plans at a regional final at Napier University.
Mrs McAuley adds; “Any student in S5 or S6 can take part in our Young Enterprise Programme. It’s a big commitment outside their regular studies, but students learn invaluable life skills as they tackle the task of running their own business.
“Some of our students also go for formal accreditation and sit an exam run by Strathclyde University. They learn so much throughout the process, and develop entrepreneurial skills that they can apply when they finish school, or perhaps even whilst they are finishing their studies.”
Both Hope and fellow student Megan are active members of the Young Enterprise Programme. For Megan, the course provided a practical outlet where she could develop and hone her business skills. “I chose to participate in Young Enterprise, as previously I didn’t know much about the running of a business, and I thought this would be a good opportunity to expand my knowledge in a practical way. As Finance Director of my team, I was able to incorporate some of the Economics knowledge I had learnt in National 5, which was very exciting to me.”
We’re excited to see what this crop of Business Education students go on to do next! They can take inspiration from some of the ESMS FPs who went on to start their own businesses – you can take a look at their stories below:
