More than 200 young entrepreneurs from a Shropshire school will be given the chance to bid for business stardom, thanks to a firm of international freight forwarders.
Shropshire shipping specialist Global Freight is sponsoring all 220 students in Year 8 at Shifnal’s Idsall School to enter the Ryman National Enterprise Challenge, the biggest schools’ enterprise education competition in the UK.
Teams of six competed to solve a business challenge during a heat stage, with one team from the school being selected to go through to the final at Telford’s International Centre on July 4.
The Key Stage 3 students will be working on a challenge set by the Alton Towers Resort, based on its new ride Galactica, the world’s first virtual reality rollercoaster.
The students will be set the task of developing a new live attraction to aid the ride’s promotion. They will need to consider where their new attraction will be based, how they will market it and what the live elements will consist of.
Global Freight Managing Director Nicole Gunter is a former Idsall School student and also a member of the judging panel at the national final.
She said she had been keen to support her former school in their bid for business fame.
“I am passionate about passing on practical business skills to the next generation and will really enjoy working with the students to help them develop their ideas and give them the benefit of my experience.
“These young people will be our future business leaders and I am very impressed with their drive and determination to succeed.”
Idsall teacher David Thomas said the school had entered teams for the past five years.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for young people to develop a number of skills including learning teamwork, public speaking, how to present to an audience and marketing in a fun environment.
“We are determined to win the competition and can’t thank Nicole and Global Freight enough for their financial support and guidance to get the best out of the event.”
More than 200 schools and 40,000 young people are expected to take part in the challenge in 2017.
The final in July includes finalists pitching their ideas to the judging panel, inspirational speakers, nine award categories and a Q&A session with celebrity ambassador and judge Theo Paphitis.
The Former Dragons Den star, the Ryman Chairman and Challenge Ambassador said: “Helping school children arm themselves with business skills from an early age is increasingly important for the future of the UK on the global stage.
“The Ryman National Enterprise Challenge is a fantastic way to introduce kids to the skills needed to succeed in business and in life, and teachers and parents should encourage their kids to enter.”
