A GROUP of environmentally-minded pupils at an Ashton-under-Lyne primary school have turned their passion for tackling plastic waste into a thriving new refill business.
Twenty Key Stage 2 children at Canon Burrows CE Primary have spent months developing the venture.
They secured funding, created a business plan and pitched their ideas to senior leaders and governors before officially launching the project.
The initiative grew out of the Oldham Road school’s long-standing focus on sustainability. Canon Burrows has held Eco-Schools Green Flag with Distinction status since 1998 and is also recognised as a Plastic Free School.
The idea first took shape earlier this year when members of the school’s ECO Council attended the Mayor of Greater Manchester’s Green Summit at the Co-op Live arena.
Inspired by organisations working to address climate change, the pupils discovered that grants were available to help schools set up refill businesses.
After returning to school full of ideas, the children, supported by ECO Lead Mrs Alex Martorana, successfully applied for funding through Manchester City Council’s Green City Fund.
The grant allowed the school to join Pupils Profit, a programme designed to teach children how to run a real business. Working together, the pupils carried out market research and learned about finance, branding, marketing, customer service and business planning before creating their own refill shop.
Their hard work culminated in a presentation to the headteacher and governors, with two pupil directors leading the pitch.
‘Project completely driven by the children’
One of the pupil directors said: “It felt just like being on The Apprentice! We had to make everyone know that our business would work and answer lots of challenging questions.
“We were nervous at first, but when the governors approved our idea, it felt amazing. Mrs Martorana became our very own ‘Baroness’ because she challenged us to think carefully, supported us with the presentation and expected us to give our very best.
“We all felt so proud walking out of that meeting knowing that everyone was really impressed with our business idea and plan.”
The refill shop was officially launched at the school’s annual Green Fair, where families were able to refill household products while supporting a business planned and managed by the pupils.
Mrs Martorana said the children had driven the project from the beginning.
“This project has been completely driven by the children,” she said. “They were inspired after attending the Mayor’s Green Summit and wanted to make a genuine difference in their community.
“Watching them secure funding, create a business plan, present to governors and then successfully launch their own refill shop has been incredible.
“They have developed confidence, teamwork, communication and entrepreneurial skills, while making a positive impact on the environment. We couldn’t be prouder of what they have achieved.”
Although the shop is now open, the pupils remain responsible for running the business. They are continuing to monitor stock levels, analyse sales figures and review finances as they look to expand the project in the new school year.
The team is already planning its next steps for September, with hopes of encouraging more families to embrace sustainable alternatives and reduce plastic waste across the local community.