EDUCATION TRAINING NEWS

START-UP ACADEMY SUPPORT

Falmouth University’s venture studio, Launchpad, is supporting six entrepreneurs to develop their business ideas as part of its inaugural Start-up Academy.

Students from both Falmouth and Exeter universities are getting paid over six weeks to develop their ideas. They are also benefiting from a series of masterclasses provided by the MSc Entrepreneurship team in design thinking, finance and marketing as well as pitch practice and an opportunity to network with the wider Launchpad community.

Business and Entrepreneurship student from Falmouth, Bill Roberts, is working on making quality CBD products more accessible to those who need it via his business Hush CBD.

The Good Robot Company founded by University of Exeter students Fin McCormick and Lizbeth Chandler, detects bias in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning systems.

Megan Roberts and Alex Fish, from Falmouth’s School of Film & Television, are working on 99Films, a community led film showcase, celebrating student work and opening opportunities for engagement and discussion.

MA Creative Advertising student Charlii Testar’s business idea is Boo Boo Finnegan Adventures, which creates children’s picture books for dads to read to their children, encouraging the development of emotional intelligence.

MSc Entrepreneurship course leader, Marcus Simmons, said: “We’ve really enjoyed having the start-up academy students attend some of our lectures and workshops. They’ve all been really keen to learn and have grasped the opportunity to see just how practical the MSc Entrepreneurship is in helping young entrepreneurs successfully develop their business ideas.”

(FROM LEFT TO RIGHT) BILL ROBERTS, FIN MCCORMICK, MEGAN ROBERTS, LIZBETH CHANDLER AND CHARLII TESTAR Two Truro schools have been recognised

AN AWARDING EDUCATION

Two Truro schools have been recognised among the leading independent schools in the UK after both being shortlisted for a trio of national awards.

Truro is in the running to be named Co-Educational Independent School of the Year, as well as Independent School of the Year for Sporting Achievement and the Green Award for Environmental Achievement.

Truro School head, Andy Johnson, said: “A huge thank you to our staff and pupils who work hard to ensure Truro School is at the forefront of educational excellence; it is wonderful to have their commitment and innovation acknowledged by these national awards.”

Across the city, meanwhile, Truro High School for Girls has been shortlisted for Independent Girls’ School of the Year and Pre-Prep of the Year.

Its pioneering UX course to teach Prep 6 pupils with user experience skills has also been nominated in the new Innovative Project category.

Headmistress, Mrs Sarah Matthews, said: “It is absolutely fantastic to see our unique and special school recognised so widely as providing phenomenal opportunities and a first-rate education.”

Winners will be announced at a ceremony next month.

A Cornwall-based nursery and pre-school operator has announced a significant round of new investment as it looks towards further expansion.

Since first opening 30 years ago, Happy Days Nurseries has expanded to 18 locations across the south west.

The new investment, from London-based private equity firm Zetland Capital, will fund plans to build a business with over 50 nurseries. It’s committed to opening new sites in Salisbury, Yate and Taunton in 2023 with further opportunities in the pipeline.

HAPPY DAYS EXPANSION PLANS

Happy Days’ executive chairman, Mark Beadle, added: “We are thrilled to be working with Zetland Capital with whom we have already developed a strong working relationship and whose values align to our own.

“After two challenging years, we are looking forward to growing our family of nurseries; creating new jobs, affordable quality childcare for families and building a company culture that values and rewards colleagues.”