The challenge of social enterprise in education
In a conference, ‘Social Enterprise: A Brighter Future for Schools?’, hosted by Social Enterprise London (SEL) in partnership with CfBT Education Trust this month, that aimed to highlight social enterprise as a potential income solution for education providers in a time a increasingly restricted budgets, SEL’s Chief Executive Allison Ogden-Newton stated that while the concept of social enterprise in education was potentially more challenging than social enterprise delivery in the NHS and Ministry of Justice, it also has the potential to be much more radical.
SEL’s Chief Executive highlighted that social enterprise in education was in a way more radical as it offered not only employees the opportunity to control schools as co-operatives but also the opportunity for community organizations and parent groups to take control of educational establishments.
While Allison Ogden-Newton emphasised the success of social enterprise in schools, the conference also gave rise to several issues with regards to the obstacles educational establishments may face when attempting to adopt a social enterprise model, including:
- As schools are unable to retain end of year financial reserves they may find it difficult to keep aside money for social enterprise projects
- Some school leaders are not turned on to the idea of social enterprise
- Many schools require more socially enterprising head teachers and staff, and require staff development with regards to this
However, the conference showcased the successes of enterprising schools, for example those with on site public libraries and sports facilities and those training pupils in practical skills, and highlighted SEL’s 30 page report, ‘Extended Services: ensuring sustainability using the social enterprise model’ (produced for CfBT) that examines the potential for social enterprise projects in schools, including breakfast and after-school clubs.
To find out more please access the ‘Extended services: ensuring sustainability using the social enterprise model’ report.