Supporting learning and life chances for young people on the Isle of Wight​

Ed-WISE is a charitable benefits society, led by a team of professionals from across education and business sectors. Our purpose is to support our Island communities in improving the life chances of our young people. That need is even greater now because of Covid-19.

Teaching young people business skills

Ed-WISE supports students from all backgrounds in improving their business-related skillsets.

Bridging the gap between education and business

We highlight emerging and diverse career opportunities that students can aspire towards.

Helping to develop entrepreneurial spirit

We encourage students to keep exploring opportunities and believe in themselves on their journey.

Students working on a school project

Inspired Learning,
Live Sessions

Ed-WISE is working with key partners such as school career leads, to develop an Inspired Learning programme that could be delivered at all secondary schools on the Isle of Wight and help to raise student aspirations.

Invitation for businesses
to get involved

We are looking for more businesses to be involved in the delivery of the Young Enterprise & Ed-WISE Company Programme on the Isle of Wight.

Our comprehensive programme each academic year includes themed workshops in September and October around team structure, marketing, production and finance, making sure that our competing teams get off to a flying start.

We follow on with 2 Dragon Dens (in the Autumn & Spring terms) where the teams can gain cash investment and several high street retail trading opportunities - where their actual products and sold and promoted to the general public.

Everything leads up to a Grand Final in May.

More schools want to enter more teams in this competition, and so to support that we need more Business Advisors.

If this sounds inspiring to you, then contact us to discuss more.

An innovative careers website for students of all ages

Ed-WISE is currently working on a new careers website. Through video, business people will give an insight to students about what their industry is really like – showing the good and the not-so-good, allowing students to make a clearer choice about future careers.

Our success with Young Enterprise

We continue to work with Island schools to help their students succeed in the Young Enterprise programme. Below are some of the recent accomplishments.

DRAGONS 1

Dragons Den Delight

Several student teams pitched their great ideas to Island business owners, who were very impressed!

Young Enterprise Comapny Success

Area Final Winners

The “Swish” team from Ryde Academy qualified for the IOW and Hampshire area finals.

DRAGONS 3

Trade Fair Experience

Students were delighted to participate in a 'Trade Fair Experience' where they made and presented their products.

What we have achieved so far

Download Our End of Academic Year Report

Ed-WISE is proudly working with

Island schools and colleges

And Island businesses

Feedback from schools & students

“The pride that our team has taken over the development of their business model, and the support delivered by Ed-WISE through the Company Programme has been great to see. We have seen students really step up and be inspired by the opportunity to grow a business. That enthusiasm has seen our team through to the South East Regional Final.”
Joy Ballard
Headteacher - Ryde Academy
“This process taught me so much and has really given me the appetite for launching my own business and developing my own ideas.”
Harry
6th Form Student - Island 6th Form
“This year has been fantastic for our 3 teams within the Federation, being inspired and led by local business leaders and innovators, as their concepts and projects became a trading reality. Several students have mentioned that they would now like to go into business and understand some of the key stages involved.”
Naomi Smy
Careers Lead - IOW Education Federation
“We knew that our product and business thinking was strong, having had some great support from our business advisor, but reaching the South East Final is amazing. What I’ve learnt along the way has really encouraged me to think seriously about going into business and having the courage to start something from scratch.”
Ryan
6th Form Student - Ryde Academy