A group of six pupils from Priestnall School, Stockport are celebrating after securing the first prize in Manchester Airport’s annual Dragons’ Den competition for aspiring entrepreneurs.
The Year 10 team’s Manchester worker bee tote bags, Christmas cards and badges impressed a panel of Dragons including representatives from the Airport, Singapore Airlines, Enterprise Rent a Car, John Lewis & Partners and Macdonald Hotels.
They raised £7,037 for the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, and will be rewarded with a VIP night out including limousine transfers from their school to Salford Quays, a meal out and tickets to ‘SIX the Manchester Musical’ at the Lowry.
Ten schools from across Greater Manchester and East Cheshire took part in the challenge, generating a hugely impressive £14,135 for good causes between them.
Teams were tasked with developing a product or business idea, pitching and gaining a £100 grant from Manchester Airport to get it off the ground. They then had seven weeks to turn a profit, with the help of a mentor.
Other winners included Fred Longworth High School (Tyldesley), whose eco-friendly reusable metal straw, sold through a website set up by the pupils themselves, delivered success in the Most Innovative category. The King’s School, Macclesfield, scooped the award for Best Presentation. Each team member from both schools will receive £20 in shopping vouchers as their prize.
The victors were revealed in a gala event at Hilton Airport yesterday. Each group was given the chance beforehand to present a summary of productivity, finance and lessons learnt because of the experience.
Stockport’s Priestnall School Headteacher, Craig Burns, said
We are thrilled for our pupils who have worked incredibly hard to develop and deliver their vision. They have learned important lessons, built their skill sets and gained invaluable experience along the way. We hope they enjoy their prize and are thankful to Manchester Airport for organising this competition and giving them this opportunity.”
The full list of schools that took part and their products are as follows:
- Wellington School (Altrincham) – Christmas Eve ‘hampers’ for children including a hot chocolate spoon, make-your-own bauble and ‘reindeer food’.
- Manchester Enterprise Academy (Wythenshawe) – Christmas decoration: wooden initials, painted and decorated in Santa costume
- Stretford Grammar School – laser-cut wooden tea-light holders
- Stockport Grammar School – chocolates in a variety of flavours
- Alder Community High School (Hyde) – Yankee candle in a glass container with Manchester worker bee symbol
- The King’s School, Macclesfield – Christmas stockings with a selection of stocking fillers including handmade chocolates, air-pod cases, chargers and phone covers
- Priestnall School (Stockport) – Manchester worker bee tote bags, Christmas cards and badges
- Alderley Edge School for Girls – personalised laser-cut keyrings
- Wilmslow High School – scented soaps and handmade fudge
- Fred Longworth High School (Tyldesley) – metal drinking straws in a protective fabric bag
Image: Priestnall School pupils present a cheque for over £7,000 to Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital