THE orders are still flooding in months after enterprising students collected a top prize for their business insight.
Students Charlotte Mason and Emma Logan were part of the 15-strong Benfield School team Study & Co taking part in the prestigious regional Young Enterprise competition, which is designed to inspire the next generation of business leaders.
They came up with the idea of producing bespoke pencil cases, laptop holders and bags, collecting the second prize overall and the Best Team Award after pitching their ideas from memory to the school and the official judges. They even took orders from the judges themselves.
And six months on they are still receiving requests for their fashionable wares which can be spotted around school being used by students and teachers alike.
The team, the youngest in the competition, formed a company with specific roles for each student who joined one of three groups, with the help of business mentor Ringtons Tea chairman Nigel Smith.
With the themes ‘revise, restore and relax’, they produced the cases, a knowledge organiser and a wellbeing box of bath bombs.
Students then set out their stall at the regional finals, in New College Durham, where they presented their ideas and products to judges.
Emma, 14, said: “We decided to make things that people need in school to keep them organised, such as personalised pencil cases, laptop covers and bags. We sourced them from a sustainable business that made them from recycled plastic bottles, which made them affordable and better for the environment. We made posters and order forms and made sure the judges were given some.
“We were absolutely thrilled to get the awards as we had only been on the project for five weeks while the other schools had months to prepare. We see them around school and think ‘we made those’.”
Charlotte, 14, added: “As we didn’t have as much time it was a really big deal to come away with a trophy. We now know how to set up and run a company and when I am older I would love to have my own bakery as I love baking. The whole thing has really boosted my confidence.”
Head of art and technology Charlotte Whelan said: “To do as well as this in such a short space of time is phenomenal and we were delighted to accept the awards at a prestigious ceremony.
“We will be taking part in the Young Enterprise contest again this year, motivated by the success of the team, in a competition that proved fun, inspiring and great for students’ CVs – and the fact that the Young Enterprise CEO chose to visit our school.
“This is about helping students develop their soft skills, such as confidence, self-esteem and resilience and I have seen them grow as a people over the past year which makes me so proud.”