Are Scottish primary schools becoming more enterprising?

Enterprise in education features in the political as well as the educational agenda and enterprise activities are now a compulsory part of Scottish Education for all pupils from P1 to S6. The profile of enterprise in education increased with the publication of Determined to Succeed and the responses to it (Scottish Executive 2002b, 2003, 2004a, 2006, 2007). This article examines definitions of enterprise and seeks to identify what it means to be enterprising. Existing practice is compared and contrasted and the widening perspective of the meaning of creating enterprising individuals is discussed. The publication of A Curriculum for Excellence, (Scottish Executive 2004b) highlights the need for all children to develop their capabilities as 'successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors to society.' Enterprise in education is seen as one way to contribute to this. The research raises questions about how Curriculum for Excellence will enable the curriculum to become more enterprising.