DOZENS of primary schools got involved with an entrepreneurial challenge that saw pupils create their own social enterprise businesses.

Fashion outfits created from recycled packaging, healthy eating tuck shops and recipe books, plant sales, events to combat loneliness and isolation, an ice-cold café and lots of bake sales were just some of the businesses run by micro tycoons at more than 50 primary schools across Cumbria.

It was part of the Bright Stars 2022 challenge where schools partnered with dozens of companies from across Cumbria.

Cumberland & Westmorland Gazette:

The Bright Stars programme run by the Centre for Leadership Performance is now in its 10th year, encouraging leadership and entrepreneurship from a young age and developing relationships between Cumbrian businesses and primary schools.

For 2022 children were challenged to ‘make a profit and make a difference’ by raising money to benefit worthwhile causes they chose.

A celebration on Thursday July 14 will see prizes awarded in 12 categories and all the schools which took part will be celebrating their wonderful achievements. Two simultaneous events will take place from 1pm to 3pm at Energus in Workington and at Furness College for schools in the north and south of the county. The celebration will also happen virtually online.

Cumberland & Westmorland Gazette:

Executive director at the CforLP Sarah Glass said: “We have seen more magnificent efforts and breath-taking leadership and creativity from the children as they rose to the Bright Stars challenge in 2022.

“Working with their business partners the children never fail to surprise us, and with a record number of schools taking part it is going to be tougher than ever for our judges to choose winners because they are all champions!”