About Leap | LEAP

LEAP is a registered charity and 'not for profit organisation', which supports schools and mentors their students in setting up a business for an academic year.

Students practise decision-making and problem solving: they develop interpersonal skills, work as member of a team & become self-managers.

By participating in the LEAP programme, seminars and competitions students gain confidence and employability skills so are better prepared for employment or University interviews. Some even use this insight as a stepping-stone to developing their own Business.

Students (aged 14-19) raise their own share capital, chose and make or buy a product, write a business plan and market the product or service. At the end of the process, they present their company results to a panel of Business Advisors alongside an Annual Report and Financial Accounts.

Seminars

To make the most of your LEAP experience, we deliver seminars on various aspects of setting up your company; from electing directors; choosing the product or service; marketing; selling and financial accounts.

Following the ‘Getting Started’ launch event, the ‘Getting Organised’ workshop takes place in October and in January the What’s Next seminar.

Trade Fairs

We have strong links with Town Centre Securities (Merrion Centre) where LEAP arranges Trade Fairs in December and February. Many schools also arrange many other trading opportunities at various locations around Leeds.

Competitions and annual awards

The three major competitions, Marketing at Trade Fairs, Presentations and Report are judged throughout the year. From these three competitions combined with a review of the Company Business Plan and administration the Board selects The Best LEAP Company of the year. We also award broader aspects of business in fifteen other categories. The year closes with an Oscar style awards evening where VIPs, parents, teachers and business mentors celebrate the achievements of the students.