Bedlingtonshire Community High School

They beat off still competition from other schools in Wansbeck to take the award at a glitzy awards evening in Ashington on Thursday. Local comedian and actor, Brendan Healy hosted the evening which celebrated enterprising talent from around Wansbeck. Local businesses and entrepreneurs gathered to celebrate another year of enterprising success. The evening was sponsored by a host of businesses including Go Wansbeck and RioTinto Alcan.

Presenting the enterprising award, Robin Casin, Director of Children's Services in Northumberland praised the way that Bedlington High School had 'embedded an enterprising culture within the school and had distributed the leadership of enterprise across staff and students alike.'
Kieran McGrane, Principal at Bedlington High praised the work of his staff and students. "We have an excellent team of staff across Bedlington High and West Sleekburn Middle who are constantly looking for ways to enrich and develop the learning opportunities for our students. Winning this award is a great achievement, but we know that there is still work to be done in giving our students the skills they need to engage in today's changing workplace."

Over the past year, the school has given students the chance to engage in enterprising activities which have seen a number of mini businesses set up within the school. One of which is a water aid project aimed at raising awareness of the lack of water available for children in Africa. Fiona Mather, a technology teacher told us about the work her students have been engaged in. "My form class of year 7 students took it up on themselves to organise a competition to raise funds for charity. They sourced, designed and purchased re-cycleable and re-useable water bottles to sell in school. So far we've sold over 500. Giving student the chance to lead a project and help others is what being enterprising is all about."