Caroline de Mowbray, Head of Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Employability at Bryanston, discusses the importance of entrepreneurial skills in preparing pupils for success in the modern world.
Entrepreneurship is no longer the reserve of risk-takers launching businesses from their garage or pitching new products to investors. It is a mindset and one that equips people to navigate the unpredictability of modern life and thrive in whatever path they choose. At Bryanston, we believe entrepreneurial skills are as valuable for future professionals, creatives and scientists as they are for the next tech startup founder. My role as Head of Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Employability, is to ensure our pupils develop an entrepreneurial mindset, equipping them with the tools and experiences to take risks, think creatively and build resilience, whether they are starting out in the working world, or starting up a new venture of their own.
When I joined Bryanston last term, having worked in both my own businesses and advised others, I was struck by the School’s reputation for creativity and independent thinking. Entrepreneurial endeavours are part of Bryanston’s DNA, something I have seen firsthand through my friendships with many Old Bryanstonians who have gone on to create thriving businesses. What makes Bryanston unique is the way the culture and tutorial system nurtures those qualities that successful entrepreneurs embody such as curiosity, tenacity and the confidence to challenge the status quo.
Entrepreneurship at Bryanston is not confined to a single subject or age group. It seeps into every corner of school life, from lessons in Geography and Science to extra-curricular activities and real-world projects. Academic learning is strengthened when tied to practical application when pupils see a clear link between what they study and how it plays out in the commercial world. More importantly, this approach allows them to experiment, face challenges and, crucially, to fail. Failure is often the quickest route to success, provided you embrace the positive aspects of the test, fail, adapt and test again approach to development and progress.
The first venture I am working on with my academic colleagues is the Adventure Enterprise Challenge, a business simulation that gives Year 10 pupils the opportunity to design, plan and budget for a UK-based expedition. Working in small teams, they are tasked with answering questions that challenge their thinking and prompt creativity, such as What does adventure mean? Where can it happen? How do we design a sustainable, carbon-neutral trip? It’s not just about the ‘what’, it’s about the ‘how’. Pupils will develop critical decision-making skills under pressure, collaborate effectively and tackle real-world constraints like time and cost. Lower Sixth pupils will mentor the teams, providing peer support as they bring their projects to life.
Beyond individual events, we are creating a dynamic entrepreneurship ecosystem at Bryanston. By connecting pupils with mentors and role models, we help them see what is possible when ambition meets innovation. Take Leo Evans, for example, an Old Bryanstonian who started his entrepreneurial journey at school at just 15 years-old and is now the founder of the successful ed-tech company The Profs. Leo, a Forbes 30 Under 30 honouree, knows firsthand how early financial challenges shaped his drive to succeed. He and other successful alumni will work closely with pupils to share their journeys, demystify entrepreneurship and offer guidance on how to overcome challenges. These relationships are key to making entrepreneurship relatable and accessible while showcasing the creativity and ambition that are hallmarks of a Bryanston education.
The Sixth Form will have access to an Entrepreneurship Hub, a creative space where ideas can be shared, developed and tested. Pupils will have the opportunity to pursue qualifications that employers value, whether that is digital skills or project management expertise and we are currently developing a mini-MBA programme for the Sixth Form curriculum. We are also encouraging enterprise across the school community with projects like BryMe, a Bryanston platform where pupils can buy and sell second-hand clothing originally pitched by a group of Year 10 pupils as part of the enterprise challenge for the Charities Weekend. Promoting cross curricular, pupil led projects is a simple yet effective way to teach the principles of sustainability, commerce and innovation while empowering pupils to lead a venture of their own.
Importantly, entrepreneurship is not confined to older pupils. We are embedding this mindset across all year groups, from the Prep School upwards. Sowing these seeds early helps children view challenges as opportunities and cultivates a spirit of creativity and curiosity. By the time they reach senior school, these young innovators will be ready to take their ideas to the next level.
Of course, the digital world offers huge opportunities for pupils to explore innovation, and we are working closely with Bryanston’s Digital Team to make that happen. Not every pupil wants to study coding or Computer Science at GCSE, but many want to learn how to set up websites, explore digital marketing or develop skills that align with careers in tech and media. By offering a menu of digital activities, we are ensuring that pupils have access to the tools they need to thrive in a digital-first world.
My objective is not about creating a generation of entrepreneurs in the traditional sense, but it is about nurturing a mindset that will empower and serve our pupils wherever life takes them. It is about confidence, creativity, and, above all, fun. Experimenting, learning from mistakes and taking risks in a safe environment prepares pupils for the realities of the working world, where change and challenges are inevitable, but adaptability and resilience will be key to success.
I am excited about the future here at Bryanston. At a time when traditional academic qualifications are under scrutiny, we have a real opportunity to shine a light on what we do differently. We are giving pupils the space, support and skills to innovate and in doing so, we are preparing them to stand out, step up and make their mark in a world that rewards creative thinkers and bold ideas.
This article was published in the January 2025 edition of Independent Schools Magazine.
