Inclusive Entrepreneurship: Exploring Shaftesbury School’s Empowering Coffee Shop

Hi everyone, welcome to today’s blog. I’m Nancy and I have recently joined the Young Harrow Foundation as a content creator! Today I’ll be taking you on my journey of visiting Shaftesbury School’s Grand opening of their coffee shop, Coffee on the Quad, which is run and has been designed by their sixth form students!

Shaftesbury School lies in the heart of our community and is a place of immense dedication and compassion for children with special needs. I was so grateful to have been invited to attend the grand opening of their new coffee shop which was a remarkable initiative run entirely by the school’s sixth form students and funded by Harrow School and the Deo Duce Foundation. This inspiring endeavour not only provides students with crucial life skills and work experience but also serves as a testament to the incredible potential that lies within every individual regardless of their abilities. Shaftesbury School also welcomed the Deputy Mayor of Harrow and two members from the funders, Tim from Harrow School and Eddy from the Deo Duce Foundation to the grand opening.

The coffee shop at Shaftesbury School is more than just a place to grab a cup of coffee, it’s a transformative learning experience for the students involved. The sixth-form students, under the guidance of their dedicated teachers, are given the opportunity to learn and develop a wide range of skills essential for their future independence. From customer service and teamwork to financial management and communication skills, the students gain a greater understanding of what it takes to run a successful business. At the moment, the Shaftesbury school coffee shop is for their staff and students only so the students are able to gain work experience and confidence within a safe environment.

One of the most heartwarming aspects that I personally found from the coffee shop project is the empowerment it brings to students with special needs. I noticed that by the students participating in all aspects of the coffee shop’s operations, they not only discover their own abilities but also challenge the way that society can preconceive what they can achieve. This project helps to build their self-esteem, confidence, and sense of accomplishment, paving the way for a brighter future. I was actually able to speak to some of the students who were central to the project and we heard how it was ‘a dream come true’ for one of the students who also stated that working on this project ‘makes them like themselves even more’ which was so amazing to hear! We also heard about the dreams and aspirations of the students for the future where one would like to become a healthcare worker as they ‘love to help people’ and another ‘dreams to work in retail’ so this project is providing them with an amazing stepping stone for their future careers.

Shaftesbury school’s coffee shop represents a vision of the future where education can transcend from regular education to equipping students with practical life skills which is something I feel should definitely be embedded into education if possible. By nurturing independence, confidence and a sense of purpose, projects like these will enable students to become active contributors to society. This project in particular also demonstrates the importance of recognizing and celebrating the unique strengths of every individual, regardless of their abilities.

This inspiring endeavour serves as a reminder that inclusion, acceptance and equal opportunities are not only essential but also enriching for society as a whole. Shaftesbury School and its students have brewed up something truly special, and their coffee shop will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on all who are able to visit, it certainly did with me!