We ran an Enterprise cafe at school for 2 afternoons, all organised by the children. So much learning takes place in the run up to the cafe and on the days.

The children:

– get a booklet to read with job descriptions for each of the jobs available at the enterprise cafe

– choose the job they want to apply for and write an application form

– learn about their own skills and qualities to help them prepare for their job interview

– get invited to a job interview in the school office with the headteacher and secretary

– prepare for their interview at home (interview questions are given in advance, along with the table that shows how their interview skills will be assessed)

– receive a job offer then start working as a staff team to plan the cafe

– design a menu

– take table bookings over the phone (parents were given a certain day to phone and book a table)

– write a shopping list for what they need for the menu using the Tesco app for rough prices

– use the shopping receipt to work out how much all the ingredients cost

– price the menu to ensure they can make a profit

– find recipes for what they need to bake/cook

– learn about food hygiene procedures

– learn about customer service skills

– bake and cook what they need for the cafe menu

– set the classroom up as a cafe

– welcome customers into the cafe

– take customer orders

– prepare drinks and food orders

– serve food and drinks

– calculate bill totals

– work out change to be given

– clear tables

– wash dishes/clean up

– count cash to get a total of takings

– count tips and equally divide them between all cafe employees

– subtract the cost of ingredients from total takings to work out the total profit

– reflect on and evaluate experience

So much learning, life skills and fun! Thank-you to everyone who booked a table and supported the children. Their profits have gone into our school fund and will go towards school trips.