Wednesday, 30 June 2010
JAMES TAKES HIS PRIZE FOR ENTERPRISE
A HARTLEPOOL teenager with severe learning difficulties has won an award for his outstanding contribution to enterprise.
James Dean, 17, who attends Catcote School Business and Enterprise College in Hartlepool, has won the Young Enterprise North East (YENE) Sir John Moores’ Special Achievement Award after overcoming physical and medical problems to become assistant managing director of his own company.
James has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a degenerative condition affecting one in 3,500 males, he uses an electronic wheelchair to move around school and has limited use of his hands, which makes it difficult for him to participate in writing and drawing activities.
However, since undertaking the YENE Team Programme and setting up Supercats, which designs and produces jigsaws and mouse mats, James’ teachers say they have seen a dramatic improvement in his academic abilities.
The YENE Team Programme inspires students aged between 15 and 19 years old with special educational and support needs to work together and set up and run their own real company, guided by a Young Enterprise business adviser.
Catcote School Business and Enterprise College director of specialism Alison Brown said: “Since undertaking the Young Enterprise North East Team Programme James has really developed his academic, social, and emotional well being.
“James finds academic work tiring and needs to be stimulated by activities that help him retain a positive outlook, which is exactly what the Young Enterprise programme allows him to do.
“James has learnt everything from how to set up a business, market research, establishing appropriate selling price to maximise profits, stock control and selling shares. He is very well respected by his peers and is an inspiration to others”.
James is the assistant managing director of Supercats, a business he set up in September 2009 with his fellow students and it is still going from strength to strength.
James has ambitious plans to capture an estimated one million customers by arranging to set up a stall at the Hartlepool stage of the Tall Ships event in August. This will involve working on the business in his own time during the summer holidays.
James designed the company logo, which is used in all literature and marketing materials.
The business showcased its wares at the Young Enterprise North East Trade Fair at Gateshead’s Metro Centre earlier this year, where James sold the company’s products to the public, which made a profit of £65.
James said: “I really enjoy the Young Enterprise programme as I am able to take ownership of something and have a lot of responsibility in the business. It has given me a real buzz for learning and the world of enterprise.”
James has worked with North Shields business owner David Bavaird of Scrap Tyre Exchange who has acted as his business adviser through the programme. He said: “I have been impressed by James’ contribution to the range of tasks and projects and he has demonstrated a sharp mind, problem solving skills and a willingness to learn. James is a credit not only to himself but to the day to day support and teaching he receives from the staff at Catcote School. I have enjoyed working with James and would encourage other businesses to get involved”.
Young Enterprise North East chief executive Catherine Marchant said: “The Sir John Moores’ Special Achievement Award 2010, sponsored by The Specials Laboratory has been awarded to James for demonstrating outstanding achievement and strength throughout the Team Programme. He is a team player and is a true inspiration to others.”
James is now working towards OCR (Oxford Cambridge and RSA Examinations) Young Enterprise Team Programme Entry three.
James received his award at the Young Enterprise North East Regional Final.
http://www.young-enterprise.org.uk/north_east/about_us
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