As a part of Helipebs commitment in the local community, we were contacted by the Elmbridge Junior School to see if we could assist with a "Dragon's Den" type competition between the year 6 pupils. Harry Anderton, Commercial Director, was pleased to be involved.
In eighteen teams of one to four, the 10 to 11 year olds had to come up with ideas to make money for school funds. Each project was presented to "the Dragons" who, if approved, the school would loan each team start-up money, which had to be paid back with interest to purchase what was required to get each money making scheme off the ground. Each had to then run their stalls at the school's Diamond Jubilee Sports Fayre. The event made over £2,000 for the school.
Harry Anderton said "the presentations made, mostly on Powerpoint, were outstanding and I couldn't believe the amount of detail many of the teams went into. From costings, profit projections and SWOT analysis along with samples of product for us to taste: they were excellent. We never did anything like this when I was at school". He added "everyone who took part should be really proud of themselves for the time, effort and planning involved".
Victoria Toppin, year 6 teacher, added "the competition was a part of PSHE, introducing the class on understanding the importance of money. All worked extremely hard to ensure that they had the backing of the Dragons for each of their projects"
Year 6 pupil, Harry Skingsley, commented "year 6 had a challenge to make a stall for the fair; they had to get a £15 grant from the three judges. The judges consisted of two people from local businesses and one member was from the PTA, this was Mrs Rolland-Evans. If the three judges liked the business idea and the children had planned what they were going to do with it, then the group would be funded to go ahead with their business idea. The businesses had to pay back the £15 they had borrowed and £1.50 interest. The winning team was the one that made the most profit. The evening consisted of a variety of stalls, such as: guess how many sweets are in the jar, cake and biscuit sales, a raffle and the marvellous, but wet, stocks. The stocks were the only activity that continued outside, despite the bad weather, whereas all of the other activities were held inside for the evening"
For more information about Elmbridge Junior School, just follow the link to www.elmbridgejuniorschool.co.uk