From classroom to boardroom: How two young entrepreneurs learnt their business lessons
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What started as a sixth-form leadership project to boost their school’s reputation and ties to the community has graduated into a multi-million-pound social enterprise based in Hoxton. The passion to prove their school had more about it than a poor Ofsted rating and damage done by budget cuts and bad press inspired the then 17-year-olds Jemma Phibbs and James Lloyd to begin hosting community events to showcase its facilities. Jemma, now 31 and from London, said: “We soon found out there was a huge demand, not only for events but to provide places for groups meeting regularly. We’ve been working towards building thriving schools at the centre of thriving communities ever since.” They spent the next 14 years, around their own education commitments, building their innovative business into School Space, a social enterprise that supports teachers to unlock much-needed revenue streams by renting out rooms and facilities standing empty after the school bell rings at the end of the day.
“Although James and I were not really friends at school, we are very close now - we speak to each other more than our partners sometimes! We are opposites in lots of ways - but we fundamentally really care about the same things: schools and local communities,” Jemma said.
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Hide AdSchool Space has now worked with more than 200 schools across London and the South of England. With the tagline: “Your booking will make a difference to the education sector”, James and Jemma’s student idea has given £8 million back to schools struggling in the face of ongoing funding cuts and has over 200,000 community users in an average year.


“A school is an asset at the centre of the community, everyone knows it and is comfortable there but it is not used after the school day ends. Schools simply do not have the resources or the time or the support to open it up to the community but the demand is there,” said Jemma. “The spaces are hired for lots of reasons, from knitting groups and religious services to sports including anything from football to padel. Plus, we are providing local employment. It is a win/win for all sides.” Since the partnership with School Space, Holy Family Catholic School, in Waltham Forest, London, has been able to invest in an all-weather sports pitch, sporting equipment, a hardship fund, and a breakfast club for all students. Lauren Farrugia, associate headteacher at Holy Family Catholic School, said: “Our aim has always been to be a beacon in the local community - working with School Space has meant that we can be the first choice for people looking for local spaces. We have generated a greater awareness of the facilities available to the local community to increase the school’s income. Lettings have been fully managed by School Space's team of experts, saving hours of admin time for existing school staff.”
Judith Lambert, head of Ivydale Primary School in Nunhead, Southwark, said: “'We have been working with School Space for five years and have seen a steady increase in lettings income that has been put to good use in the life of the school. Not only that, but they have developed a diverse set of community groups at the school, allowing our students access to excellent local activities such as dance and girls' football.”
Klem Speck, London Pulse Netball, said: “School Space has a variety of spaces available to fit your needs and is one of the few court hire services with prompt responses that actually get you the sports space you want!”
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Hide AdUnLtd, an organisation that finds, funds and supports social entrepreneurs, helped Jemma and James turn their classroom project into a multi-million business. Jemma said: “We were so lucky to have had the £20,000 Big Venture Challenge funding from UnLtd. They understood our drive to have a growing business that is taking on investment but is also always protecting its social mission. We were pretty young, so we appreciated UnLtd’s business workshops to refine our skills as we grew. Their network of other social entrepreneurs who have been supported by them is inspirational for us.” James and Jemma are ambitious for School Space, and are eyeing plans to expand into the Midlands.


Jemma said: “We are always looking for new schools to partner with. In the next five years, we would love to have made £50 million for the education sector, and supported as many schools and community groups as possible and provided as many jobs as possible.
“When we see a school being used to its full potential, taking the strain off its staff and benefiting its reputation, it is truly transformative. Ofsted ratings can change, but connecting with the community is something all the schools that join us really care about.”