Member Article

Chocs Ha’way

Wannabe Willy Wonkas at a school in Ashington have launched their very own chocolate mini business with the support of local Northumberland business expertise. In late October, pupils from Bothal Middle School in Ashington held a launch morning for their chocolate retail company, Chocs Ha’way. It’s all part of Enterprise Curriculum plus lessons which give pupils aged 12-13 real, relevant and inspiring enterprise learning experiences. This particular innovative chocolate manufacturing project was sponsored by Northumberland Business Services Limited (NBSL), and delivered by Curiously Wicked, a New Hartley based Connoisseur Chocolatier. Krystyna Dodds of Curiously Wicked explained further:

‘We wanted to give students an appreciation of the mechanics and challenges of starting your own business but also through hard work, the satisfaction of creating your own chocolate products. We delivered several chocolate making workshops and gave 4 groups of 10 pupils a distinct brief of devising their own chocolate products for a specific customer demographic. We were astounded by the creativity of the young people and we believe there are some tangible products ranges that could be taken forward and launched to market’.

A total of 46 Year 8 pupils working in 4 groups participated in the 7 week project. Each group was given a separate brief which challenged them to devise a range of chocolate products for different customer markets under the trading name of Chocs Ha’way. The product ranges include Choc a Block which aims to promote Northumberland and the North East as well as Malthalfer bars which are a really special treat aimed at the younger market. Shilly Money is a chocolate product that would appeal to the older generation and Heaven’s Chocolate is a romantic product that is designed to be shared by sweethearts.

The sponsors of this schools enterprise programme were NBSL, an Enterprise Support agency that offer a range of guidance and support services for pre start, new and existing business in the County of Northumberland. Sylvia Grainger of NBSL commented:

‘We were delighted to support Bothal Middle School with such a fantastic business and enterprise programme. In the current economic climate, it is important that organisations such as NBSL and education providers collaborate to capture entrepreneurial spirit in young people. The quality of presentations from the pupils on at the Chocs Ha’way launch morning was first class and to see pupils have the confidence to pitch and answer questions to an audience of adults was inspiring and testament to the hard work and determination of each of the individual pupils who participated in this programme’.

Bothal Middle School is part of the Ashington Learning Partnership Trust, a collaboration of five schools which includes Ashington High School, Hirst Park Middle School, Central First School, Wansbeck First School and Bothal itself. The Trust has a strong track record of working with local businesses on experiential projects that allow learners to develop a wide ranging skills set. Andy Gaskell, Director of Enterprise and Vocational Studies in the Ashington Learning Partnership, explained that this was just the start for Chocs Ha’way:

‘We’ve asked the pupils if they would like to continue with this project and it’s been a resounding yes from all involved. Enterprise lessons for this group of pupils will recommence in February so the challenge for us is to get the ideas the pupils have from the design stage and into local shops as a cost effective professional product range. Curiously Wicked and NBSL have been incredibly supportive and have pledged their continued backing for the project. I would appeal to any local business that can help us with packaging materials and in getting the products out to market to get in touch so we can take Chocs Ha’way to the next level,’

If your business is interested in working with the Ashington Learning Partnership, please get in touch with Andy Gaskell, Director of Enterprise and Vocational Studies, Andrew.Gaskell@northumberland.gov.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Phil Langton .