The Enterprise Challenge is a practical, project-based programme for home educated young people aged 13–16.
Across 11 weekly sessions, you’ll explore your interests, develop ideas and turn them into something real — whether that’s a product, an event, a campaign or a digital project.
This is a social, hands-on group where you can meet other home educated teens, try out ideas and gain a recognised certificate through the ASDAN Enterprise Short Course.
Free information session
We’re running a free information session for families and young people to find out more, ask questions and see if the programme feels like the right fit
Information session
Tuesday 24 March
1.00-2.00pm
Marlow Youth & Community Centre
What you’ll gain
• Confidence in taking an idea from concept to completion
• Real-world planning and decision-making skills
• Experience of teamwork and communication
• A sense of ownership and achievement
• The opportunity to gain a recognised award through ASDAN
ASDAN Enterprise Short Course
During the programme you’ll work towards the ASDAN Enterprise Short Course — a nationally recognised award based on real-world project work.
There are no exams. Instead, you build a portfolio showing the project you’ve created, the skills you’ve developed and the decisions you made along the way.
For many home educated young people, ASDAN offers a flexible and meaningful way to gain recognised accreditation through practical work.
Who it’s for
This programme is designed specifically for home educated young people aged 13–16.
You don’t need any previous experience — just curiosity, ideas and a willingness to get involved.
The group is designed to be welcoming and supportive, giving you the chance to:
- Try new ideas
- Meet other home educated teens
- Build confidence
- Develop your own interests and skills
Why enterprise?
Enterprise isn’t just about starting a business. It’s about:
- Spotting opportunities
- Taking initiative
- Solving problems
- Managing time and resources
- Communicating ideas
These are life skills, valuable whether a young person goes on to further study, employment, self-employment or creative pathways.
FAQs
What is the ASDAN Enterprise Short Course?
Young people taking part in the programme will work towards the ASDAN Enterprise Short Course.
ASDAN is a nationally recognised education charity that develops practical, skills-based courses for young people.
The Enterprise Short Course helps young people develop enterprise skills such as creativity, planning, teamwork and problem-solving while working on a real project.
The course includes areas such as:
• Understanding your strengths and skills
• Generating and developing ideas
• Planning a project
• Putting an idea into action
• Understanding how enterprise works
• Reflecting on and evaluating your project
There are no exams. Instead, young people build a small portfolio showing the project they have developed and the skills they have used along the way.
Is this like school?
No — this programme is designed to feel very different from school.
Sessions are small, relaxed and practical, with a maximum group size of around 10 young people.
Rather than sitting in lessons, young people will be working together to explore ideas, plan projects and try things out. Sessions are discussion-based, creative and collaborative.
The aim is to create a supportive space where young people can build confidence, share ideas and develop skills at their own pace.
What kind of projects might young people create?
Enterprise can take many forms. For example, young people might:
• Design and sell a simple product
• Plan and run a small event
• Create a digital idea or online concept
• Develop a campaign about something they care about
The focus is on developing an idea and seeing it through from concept to completion.
Does I need a business idea to join?
Not at all.
The group will explore ideas together and support each other to develop projects. Some young people arrive with ideas, while others discover them during the sessions.
Curiosity and willingness to take part are much more important than having a finished idea.