The combination of having one teacher with a constant and familiar relationship with pupils, close parental and community contact with the schools, combined with the open minds of the children make it the ideal time to introduce new concepts. The competitive elements of education which are so evident at second level have not yet kicked in and pupils view each other as equals.
An opportunity for innovative leaders in education
Primary School provides a great opportunity for change creation
Recognition and Rewards
When a class completes the programme and submits their project, they receive JEP teacher and pupils certificates to recognise their achievements. Schools receive the JEP flag to proudly signal their entrepreneurial activity to the community. Classes may also enter the JEP Awards at the end of the programme.
JEP has been developed in collaboration with Mary Immaculate College of Education in Limerick
The programme materials have also been reviewed and welcomed by the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA). Every step of the programme mirrors strands of the primary curriculum and the links are clearly set out on the teacher website. This means the pupils are learning new life skills while covering their core subjects in a fun and engaging way. Designed around integrated and purposeful learning, JEP is an ideal complement to the new Primary Curriculum Framework and the revised English and Maths curriculum.
JEP is available free of charge to every school on the island of Ireland
The Junior Entrepreneur Programme is available free of charge to every primary school in every county on the island of Ireland. The programme is supported by programme partners Enterprise Ireland and Kennelly Foundation. Our key objective is to ensure that every primary school pupil in Ireland has the opportunity to access entrepreneurial learning.
How it works
Why sign up…
Curriculum Integration
Academically approved and directly integrated into the Primary School Curriculum, helping teachers cover subjects in a fun, meaningful way.
Resources
A full suite of online resources including videos, downloadable activity sheets, ready‑to‑use class slide decks, and a Classroom Kit including a teacher’s guide, wall charts, activity sheets and pupil workbooks for every participant.
JEP TV Live Events
JEP TV Live Events, interactive events including entrepreneur interviews and The Big JEP Show streamed straight to your classroom.
Support
You’re never on your own. Phone, online and email support at every step – or Zoom us in for a class chat!
Flexibility
Run JEP on a timeline that suits your class and school calendar.
Fun
Participants love JEP — they regularly tell us how much fun they had bringing their ideas to life.
Pride & Recognition
Showcase your school’s entrepreneurial spirit with the JEP flag. Classes that submit projects earn certificates to mark their achievement and can enter the JEP Awards.
Community
JEP’S impact goes well beyond the classroom. It engages parents, the whole school and the local community.
Gaeilge
Leagan Gaeilge ar fáil. JEP resources are available in both Irish and English.
Entrepreneurs at the heart of Irish society
Entrepreneurs are at the economic heart of Irish society. They conceive creative products and services used by customers at home and all over the world. They create employment, wealth, and are big contributors to the national exchequer.They’re not always running multi-national companies. Some are people who’ve chosen to work for themselves and have a lifestyle which is independent of an employer. A self-employed person makes a significant contribution to the economy – and to society.
There is no clear formula to becoming an entrepreneur – except perhaps inspiration, hard work and competence – and sometimes getting thrown in the deep end, but there are learned skills that help make the process a bit less risky. Most entrepreneurs enjoy a challenge. These are the people who say “why not?” and often end up changing the way we all do things in our everyday lives. It’s natural that we would want to nurture this spirit in our young people. And what better place to start than in primary school.
Sinéad de Bhaill
Summercove National School
Niamh McCarthy
Lisheen National School
Sarah O’Hanlon
Loreto Primary School
Victoria Spencer
St. Saviour’s National School
Anne Horan
Carrickerry National School
Ciara Breen
Scoil Ide