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.

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.

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

5th Class Teacher Joanne Butler, Bishop Harty National School, Co. Tipperary

“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

“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”

6th Class Teacher Ellen Costigan, Duleek Girls’ National School, Co. Meath

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

Media Partner
The Irish Independent

Founding Partner
Kennelly Foundation

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

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

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