Measuring the social value of school-based social enterprise

Pupils’ Profit supports mainly KS2 children to set up school-based enterprises through two models: Healthy Tuck Shop and an ECO Refill Shop. They support children to develop business and leadership skills, while actively encouraging healthy eating, waste reduction and sustainable behaviour change. Pupils Profit have successfully facilitated student-led enterprise across a number of schools across the UK but want to build empirical evidence of their social value.

The organisation seeks to equalise opportunities and build confidence for students from marginalised backgrounds such as SEN children and children from lower-income households. Moreover, surveys of the school community have shown the ripple effect of sustainable behaviour change, with parents and teachers also adopting more sustainable lifestyles.

This research would evaluate the social value of school-based social enterprises. This could include analysis of the immediate impacts of Pupils Profit as well as the extended outcomes. The organisation welcomes students interested in exploring the value of the programme from a youth development or sustainability angle.

The organisation has some initial data including:
1. Survey with school community (2-3 surveys with each school, mixed methods amongst parents, carers and staff)
2. Online platform where students rank their skills development
3. Data about the number of containers saved from waste