Milton Keynes pupils get a real taste of business with groundbreaking EduKate Entrepreneurs Programme

EduKate Entrepreneurs, founded by former primary schoolteacher Katie Nicholson, is rapidly gaining attention for its bold mission: to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real‑world entrepreneurial skills for pupils as young as eight.

What began as a creative‑mindset programme has evolved into a fully-fledged enterprise experience, equipping KS2 pupils with both the imaginative thinking and practical business knowledge needed to thrive in the future workplace. Nicholson, who left the classroom last year to pursue her vision, believes that children are capable of far more than traditional schooling often allows.

“Anything you set your mind to, you can achieve — you just need to work hard and never give up.” It’s a message that has resonated deeply with parents across Milton Keynes, many of whom are championing the initiative as a refreshing and much‑needed addition to local education.

This week, that ethos came to life in spectacular fashion.

A Hands‑On Product Creation Day at Lake Street Coffee

EduKate’s latest entrepreneurship cohort — 60 pupils from Two Mile Ash Primary School — took part in a real product‑making session at Lake Street Coffee, a local business collaborating closely with the programme. Despite the sweltering temperatures, pupils arrived buzzing with excitement, ready to turn weeks of planning into a tangible product: their own healthy fruit drink.

Working alongside café owner Rachel and her team, pupils learned how to measure, mix, bottle, and professionally label their drinks. The session brought together everything they had studied so far — branding, logo design, market research, ingredient costing, and flavour development.

There were sweet spillages, sticky fingers, and plenty of laughter, but every group successfully produced a batch of their own drink. And, to the relief of all adults involved, the café remained intact.

Pitching to Business Leaders and Showcasing to the Community

The young entrepreneurs will now prepare to pitch their products to two local business leaders, making the case for why their drink should be considered as a healthy breaktime option in schools — aligning with national efforts to promote healthier food choices for children.

Their work will then be showcased at two celebration events on 10 and 11 July, where parents, supporters, and the wider community will have the chance to sample the drinks and explore the pupils’ creative and entrepreneurial journeys. The Mayor of Milton Keynes and local MP Emily Darlington are expected to attend, marking a significant moment for the growing initiative.

Nicholson hopes these events will be just the beginning. Her long‑term vision is to bring more local businesses into classrooms, giving children access to real‑world expertise and opportunities that spark ambition, confidence, and a belief in their own potential.

“Children want to learn about the world beyond school — they’re hungry for it,” she says. “EduKate Entrepreneurs is about giving them the tools, the mindset, and the experiences to see what’s possible.”

A New Model for Community‑Driven Education

As the programme expands, more schools and families across Milton Keynes are taking notice. With its blend of creativity, enterprise, and community partnership, EduKate Entrepreneurs is carving out a new model for education — one that prepares children not just for exams, but for life.

For sponsorship, collaboration opportunities, or to find out more about EduKate Entrepreneurs, please contact Katie Nicholson directly.

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.edukate-services.com

Phone: 07723375811

Instagram: @edukate_learninghub