Kennet School hosts enterprise challenge

Thatcham pupils display their business skills to bankers

ENTREPRENEURS at Kennet School got down to business in a challenge with bankers recently.

As part of Global Enterprise Week, the Year 10 business studies pupils took part in an Enterprise Challenge, led by Barclays Bank.

Pupils had to consider key issues such as costs, break-even points, market research, likely competition and publicity materials.

The ideas generated in small groups were described by the bankers as both aspirational and inspirational, and ranged from a kinetic mobile phone charger through to a personalised butler service.

The Barclays bankers then watched four-minute presentations from each team, looked at their portfolios and determined which of the 24 teams should be crowned Kennet Business Entrepreneur team of the year.

The winning team – WinRingTum – designed a boot suitable for wearing in winter, spring and autumn, with customisable features and styles.

Kennet School headmaster, Paul Dick, said: “Thank you so much to the EBP but particularly to the senior colleagues from Barclays Bank who gave up their day to share their expertise with our pupils.

“Congratulations to all the pupils for the energy and ability they invested in the day and special congratulations to the winning team.”

The Stoney Lane school also had its business savviness recognised through the awarding of an Investors in Careers award.

The MP for Newbury, Richard Benyon, presented the award and spoke about careers, British values and the advantages of living in democratic society.

Mr Dick thanked Mr Benyon for “providing an insight into how our democracy works and how we, of all ages at Kennet School, can play a better part”.

Kennet also showed off Eva – its robot which helps pupils learn programming and coding – at a sixth form open evening.

Eva impressed the more than 500 prospective pupils and parents looking to join next September.