Young entrepreneurs from Sidmouth Primary School gave Simon Cowell’s X Factor a run for its money last week as they presented the ‘SidFactor’, with the help of KC.

The concert, which was held at the KC Stadium, was the finale of over three months of hard work by pupils who are taking part in the Hull Ready ‘Make £5 Blossom’ campaign.

The campaign partners a school with a local business that helps nurture a business idea that the pupils come up with. KC sponsored each pupil £5 to cover the setting up costs of the business venture as a loan, which is paid back after the project is complete. The profits are kept by the school to reinvest in a project of their choice.

The scheme concentrates on the 13 key skills needed within a business environment, for example team work, effective communication, creativity and innovation and positive attitude. All the children have taken a role in organising the event including designing and selling tickets, printing t-shirts, event production and performing on stage.

The children were mentored by KC Marketing Manager Shirin Zandi. She has supported the children throughout the development of their business venture. She said: “The children working on the SidFactor have blown me away with their enthusiasm, ideas and willingness to learn. They have show great creativity and I hope that they have come away with a new-found confidence in their ability to turn their ideas into reality. The concert itself was a huge success and it was a joy to be part of it.

“Make £5 Blossom is a fantastic way for businesses to make a real difference in their local community. It’s not just the children who have learnt a lot from this process – I have taken skills away with me too and would urge other businesses to get involved.”

Hull Ready and the ‘Make £5 Blossom’ initiative are run by Hull Youth Enterprise, which encourages children and young people up to the age of 19 and businesses to work in partnership to create and facilitate opportunities to widen the entrepreneurial spirit of Hull.

Kevin Walsh, KC Chief Executive said: “To ensure the continued success and regeneration of our region, it is imperative that we, as the business community, encourage and support the entrepreneurial spirit of future generations. Initiatives such as ‘Make £5 Blossom’ introduce business and commerce into education from an early age, and make it both fun and engaging.  We are proud to be involved with this initiative to inspire the young talent we have in the region.”

Keren Garnett, Assistant Head Teacher at Sidmouth Primary School said: “As a school we are constantly embracing and encouraging the talents and interests of our young people and the Make £5 Blossom campaign is a great way to do this. The young people who took part are very musical and decided they would like to put on a concert, which allowed them all to be involved, which is very important.

 “The collaboration between KC and the young people has been great. The young people were so excited about the concert, especially when Shirin told them it would be held at the KC Stadium.”