Level 3 - Openground

Looking for an exciting way to channel your creativity and make a real impact? Well, you need to read on, because we've got the ultimate opportunity for you: our Entrepreneurial Programme called Openground!

Our vision for Openground is to be recognised as the ‘benchmark’ for learning entrepreneurship and business in New Zealand secondary schools.

Openground provides a supportive environment that nurtures students' entrepreneurial skills, encourages their personal growth, and equips them with the confidence and knowledge needed to pursue their entrepreneurial endeavours. Here's how:

- Openground provides practical experience - by creating and running actual business ventures, students gain first hand exposure to the challenges and responsibilities of entrepreneurship. 

- Each Openground student is matched with a mentor, most of whom are business owners or leaders who have willingly put their hand up to support and guide you through your entrepreneurial journey.

- We have access to high calibre guest speakers who bring real-world experience and insights, providing invaluable inspiration and knowledge to Openground students. So far this year, we have already had 19 speakers.

- Access to funding - during the programme, we conduct 1-2 Dragons’ Den events, where students are given the opportunity to pitch for legitimate funding.

- Openground is managed by Ant Ford, who has over 25 years business experience which provides him a deep understanding of business & entrepreneurship and the ability to shares real-world experiences and knowledge.

- Having had this year to review and develop the programme, for next year’s class Openground will provide a fast moving and well-designed curriculum.

- Students get the required time - they spend two periods per day in Openground, during which Business Studies Level 3 will be delivered.

- Openground is located in what is arguably the best space in the school - a kitchen with a flash coffee machine, great aircon and plenty of space.

You don’t necessarily need to come up with a completely new business idea – it might be introducing innovation to an existing business. You can work in groups or on your own. This year we have 20 business ventures - ranging from designing cutting-edge apps, to providing home maintenance solutions to selling oversized mouse pads or high quality, wearable pop culture driven merchandise. From the 2022 Class 4 of the students are now working fulltime in their business.

While the focus of Openground is to get business ventures up & running, given the resource and time provided to support students, our expectation is that all Openground students pass Level 3 Business Studies internals and externals with Excellence.

Structure 

Students in Openground will study 5 university approved subjects, of which one of these will be Level 3 Business Studies. Level 3 Business Studies will be taught as part of Openground, which is delivered over two periods per day.

Access to start up Capital 

One of the most exciting aspects of being part of Openground is the access to start up capital. There will be multiple ‘Dragons Dens’ throughout the year, where businesses will be able to pitch, in the hope of gaining that much needed capital to turn their idea into a reality. This could be as either an investment or as a loan from The Westlake Boys High School Foundation. Please note: Businesses are NOT guaranteed an investment. If your company is unsuccessful in gaining any finance, you will stay in Openground and continue with your learning and mentoring, to get your business up and running, you will just need to find an alternative source(s) of capital to do so.

So in summary, what will you get out of Openground? 

The opportunity to;

- establish your own business, make a difference and make some money.

- build a network of like-minded peers, forming bonds beyond school.

- network with and listen to a range of very successful business people.

- gain up to 23 Excellence credits in Level 3 Business Studies

- and most importantly have something very unique on your CV, coupled with a reference from your Mentor or Ant, which will benefit you when you leave school - no matter what your pathway!

So, seize this chance to break free from the ordinary and embark on a journey that will empower you to be a game-changer. Dare to dream, dare to innovate, and dare to be the entrepreneur you were born to be! Apply for Openground.

Application Process 

Openground is open to a range of applicants!

Pre Requisites – are you?

• Well on your way to completing and passing a Level 2 certificate
• Have NCEA Literacy and Numeracy
• Achieved Endorsement in ONE of Level 2 Accounting/Business Studies/Economics (preferred but not required)
• Attendance higher than 95%. 

SchoolPoint:

Request an exemption in SchoolPoint, stating which course you would drop if successful.

Round ONE: 

• You must firstly submit a written application to Mr Ford – Director of Openground by 3:30pm on Wednesday 9 August (Week 4) via email to [email protected]. We realise that you may not be at the stage where you have the next ‘big idea’ but maybe you have a unique skill set to offer a business ie financial, IT, design, good communication skills for example. Your written application should include: 
• Who am I? – should include brief background, areas of passion, strengths and weaknesses
• Why am I applying?
• Business Idea – including the problem and the solution they have identified and how far through the planning process you are, or Key skill set for success in business
• Personal vision for next 5 years.

Round TWO 

Short listed candidates/groups will then head to a Dragons Den style presentation where you will get your first chance to present yourself or your idea to a panel. This should be NO MORE than 5mins long. This will be followed by 5mins of Q and A. Details of what to include will go to successful candidates closer to the time. These will take place on week commencing August 21 (Week 6). Successful applicants will be given a time slot in due course. 

If you are not sure, take a chance and apply for round ONE, you can always change your mind.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss your options, please contact Mr Ford, Director of Openground – [email protected]

My office is at Openground (upstairs in the Top Gym, at the Forrest Hill end - in the old Careers room)