Junior Entrepreneur Programme

The Junior Entrepreneur Programme (JEP) has given more than 112,000 primary school pupils on the island of Ireland the opportunity to experience practical, real-life business learning as part of their formative education.

Running over a 12 to 16 week period during the school year, JEP nurtures creativity, independence and problem-solving among pupils of all abilities, with every aspect of the Programme seamlessly blending into the primary school curriculum.

Under their teacher’s guidance, and with the inspiration of local entrepreneurs, children will discover their strengths as individuals and as part of a team. Together, they’ll choose, invest in and produce their own product or service from scratch, all the way to making it available for sale at a school-hosted JEP Showcase Day – and enjoying the profits at the end.

Teachers are provided with a classroom kit which gives them everything they need to deliver the programme. There’s online, email and telephone support for teachers as well as regular webinars.

REAL BUSINESS

Eleven and twelve year old children on JEP create REAL businesses and make real sales. They invest in their businesses and reap the rewards.

OVER 112,000 ENTREPRENEURS

Since 2010, over 112,000 children have created their own classroom businesses with JEP – all over the island of Ireland and more recently in London, England and Xamien, China.

INSPIRING ENTREPRENEURSHIP

A JEP survey answered by more than 8,000 pupils showed that 60% of girls and 53% of boys would like to be an entrepreneur when older.

“ I feel very proud to have participated in a programme that promotes the skills development that comes with JEP. It’s a highlight of my professional life to date – and that is for sure! ”

5th Class Teacher Sinéad de Bhaill, Summercove National School, Co. Cork

“We will never be able to quantify what this has meant to our students. The programme has been a huge lift for everyone and has challenged all stereotypes and preconceptions of what our students can achieve. Every class member contributed to the creation of the story, making it a truly special experience for us all”

Teacher Eamon Fogarty, Scoil Aonghusa, Cashel, Co. Tipperary

“Having delivered JEP this year, I honestly think it should be a staple in senior classes. In all my ten years of teaching, I have never witnessed the confidence , enthusiasm and joy the children had while completing it. A fantastic programme, I highly recommend!!”

6th Class Teacher Jacinta O’Callaghan, Ballinadee National School, Co. Cork

“ I feel very proud to have participated in a programme that promotes the skills development that comes with JEP. It’s a highlight of my professional life to date – and that is for sure! ”

Teacher Sinéad de Bhaill

5th Class

“JEP is child-centred and discovery-led, which allows the children to take ownership of the process and set up a business from scratch. The children were amazed and delighted that they were successful entrepreneurs and that people wanted to purchase their product.”

Teacher Niamh Kelly

4th-6th Class

“JEP is the most relevant, inspiring, motivational and life-changing programme that I have come across in education. It equips the pupils with real-life skills, empowering them to become independent critical thinkers and learners.”

Teacher Ellen Costigan

6th Class

“For me the biggest benefit of it is it gives the children a very different education, what we are really trying to do is bring up young people who will achieve their very best in life, and that can be from a range of different experiences and a range of different abilities.”

Teacher Victoria Spencer

5th & 6th Class

Teacher Eamon Fogarty

“JEP creates great excitement around the entire school for pupils, parents and teachers. The children look forward to working on it, and it is extremely rewarding to witness them blossom and become more confident in themselves. and were so proud of their finished product. It is a fantastic programme!”

Teacher Paudy Walsh

5th & 6th Class

“JEP creates excellent opportunities to meaningfully integrate English, Maths, Visual Arts and SPHE. My class also enjoyed every step and were so proud of their finished product. It is a fantastic programme!”

Teacher Ellie King

6th Class

Teacher Jacinta O'Callaghan

6th Class

“When I started JEP I truly did not comprehend how much of the curriculum would be covered by doing the project. In my opinion it is what the New Primary Curriculum Framework needs. This programme is an excellent example of how the integration of multiple subjects can be achieved in a creative, fun, engaging way. It is not “another thing” for a teacher to take on in the year but rather a vessel to teach the curriculum.”

Teacher Amanda Bradon

Bród Class

“JEP offers children so many skills development opportunities and different ways to shine. It is always the highlight of our school year.”

Teacher Joanne Butler

5th & 6th Class

JEP Awards 2024

The 4th, 5th, and 6th class at Lisheen National School near Skibbereen, Co. Cork, have been named Class of the Year 2024 in the JEP Awards.

The classroom was transformed into a science lab as the children experimented with soap-making, working with different essential oils, seaweeds and natural dyes. The pupils rolled up their sleeves and collected, washed and dried carrageen moss from the local strand after learning about its antioxidant, soothing and moisturising properties.

They made an initial batch of 100 soaps but had to quickly increase production to 300 bars to cope with demand. The class used their digital talents to produce a beautiful label for the soap and create a video ad to promote it. Finally, they invited the local community to a showcase day where the product was on sale and also set up a stall in the local farmers’ market. The class generated total sales of €2,160 and a profit of €1,350.

The complete list of 2024 Award winners and their class businesses is here:

Class of the Year:

4th, 5th & 6th Class, Lisheen National School, Skibbereen, Co. Cork

Draíocht na Mara – natural, organic, seaweed soap

Marketing Gurus:

5th Class, Summercove National School, Kinsale, Co. Cork

The Kinsale Cookbook – a cookbook incorporating recipes from local restaurants

Digital Maestros:

6th Class, St. Peters National School, Dungourney, Co. Cork

Crazy Candles – a china teacup and saucer with handmade candles inside

Go Green:

5th & 6th Class, Corballa National School, Corballa, Co. Sligo

Know When To Sow – a calendar with seasonal seeds and info for each month.

Creative Pioneers:

P7, St. Ninnidh’s Primary School, Derrylin, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh

Ceol Agus Ól – Tumbling Paddies mug

Health Heroes:

5th & 6th Class, Castlelyons National School, Castlelyons, Co. Cork

The Sports Box – contains various games and sports equipment to encourage a healthy lifestyle for children.

Dynamic Designers:

5th & 6th Class, Killeen National School, Birr, Co. Offaly

Bugsy The Boot Jack- a boot jack in the shape of a bunny

Star Submission:

5th Class, Loreto Primary School, Grange Road, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14

Jupiter Jars- decorative nightlight jars

Game Changers:

MM3, Scoil Aonghusa, Spafield, Cashel, Co. Tipperary

Super Drawer Boy: A Children’s Book – an illustrated children’s book about a superhero

Finance Wizards:

6th Class, Scoil Bhríde, Cannistown, Navan, Co. Meath

Cannisfest- a school festival

Genius Product:

5th & 6th Class, Wicklow Montessori Primary School, Ballyguile Beg, Wicklow

Town

Are We There Yet? – a travel kit for children to keep them entertained on long journeys

Community Champions:

3rd -6th Class Fybough National School, Castlemaine, Co. Kerry

Photo Buddies – original photographic prints of local beauty spots

Top Teams

6th Class, Scoil Mhuire GNS, Lucan, Co. Dublin

Bowtique Bows- various styles and colour hair bow accessories

Programme Partner
Enterprise Ireland

Founding Partner
Kennelly Foundation

Adam Lankford
Summercove National School

Cillian Durkan
St. Joseph’s Primary School

Victoria Spencer
St. Saviour’s National School

Isabel Tierney
St. Joseph’s Primary School

Marian Hickey
Scoil Mhuire Gan Smál

Niamh Kelly
Burrane National School

Sinéad de Bhaill
Summercove National School

Eilish O’Dowd
St. Vincent’s Girl’s National School

John McCarthy
Scoil na mBuachaillí

Ciara Breen
Scoil Ide

Andrew O’Regan
Lawrencetown National School

Alfie Kelly
Greystones Educate Together National School

Lucy Kenny and Sophia Denning
Loreto Primary School

Morgan Manifold
Scoil Ide

Colm Walsh
St. Joseph’s Primary School

Niamh Spain
Bishop Harty National School

Aaron Stauton
Scoil Maelruain Senior

David McAndrew
St. Andrew’s National School