Creative education provider Junior Jam has 40 employees and has long-running contracts with schools, local education authorities and youth services across West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and Greater Manchester.

It has entered into the Small Business of the Year category in the Telegraph & Argus competition.

Managing director Rachel Burrowes said: “Our strength is our ability to adapt and cater for a broad range of interests, making us a one-stop shop for creative education.”

Junior Jam is operated by Sound Education Ltd, which was set up by Miss Burrowes under the name Sound Education Software in 2004, when she was 22, with the help of support and advice service Business Link.

A secondary business to Junior Jam, Jamsports Equipment, imports and sells its own brand of boxing and martial arts equipment, selling in bulk to schools which participate in its programmes.

Miss Burrowes, a former DJ and business degree graduate, who grew up in Clayton, said she puts her business success down to “having a business that sells my hobbies and loves”.

She said the company prides itself on its “excellent reputation, professional coaches and teaching team”, and said it welcomes and encourages feedback from teachers and students.

The entrepreneur plans to expand her business in the coming year by introducing a new IT system and continuing working with organisations in new areas, including Merseyside and Darlington.

The awards night will be held at the Aagrah restaurant group’s Midpoint Suite in Thornbury.