STUDENTS at Helena Romanes School have proved that they have the business nous to rival some of Sir Alan s apprentices on the BBC show after taking part in a one-week business challenge. Throughout last week sixth-form pupils teamed up with local business

STUDENTS at Helena Romanes School have proved that they have the business nous to rival some of Sir Alan's apprentices on the BBC show after taking part in a one-week business challenge.

Throughout last week sixth-form pupils teamed up with local businesses owners in a competition to find the best business solutions to common problems.

School staff member and event organiser, Liz Kelleher, said: "Many employers think that sixth formers leave school without the necessary qualities and skills essential for employment.

"We think that our week of challenges helped to remove this problem and improve their employability. The business challenge was an exciting and unique opportunity for the Year 12 students."

Ten local businesses came up with examples of challenges that they each face such advertising and improving reputation. In small groups students tried to solve the challenge in just one week.

On Tuesday evening (June 30) a team of judges declared the winning team as Priors Hall Farm who set the task of "encouraging local schools to use Priors Hall Farm as their main meat supplier". The victorious students managed to come up with a number of ideas about how this could be done including setting up meetings with the Helena Romanes School catering supplier and e-mailing TV chef Jamie Oliver to discuss how they could best implement their ideas.

Mrs Kelleher added: "This opportunity supplied local businesses with youthful, enthusiastic young men and women to help create solutions. All of the students, staff and business involved, agreed that it was a worth while week and the students learned how to work in a business environment and overcome real life problems."

The local businesses involved were Anglia Battlefield tours, Banana Travel, Essex Police, Lindsell's Post Office in Felsted, Musketeers in Dunmow; The Opticians in Dunmow and Priors Hall Farm Butchers.

Each student from the winning group also received �100 for their efforts.

Pictured is Stephanie Butler, Oliver Banks, Robyn Linstead, Mark Withers (Priors Hall's butcher), James Menhinick (Priors Hall farm owner), Nicholas Kesingland, Gemma Nixon, James Ward receiving awards for their endeavours Picture: SUBMITTED

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