Federation triumphs in schools business battle (From Durham Times)

Federation triumphs in schools business battle

2:48pm Friday 10th July 2009

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PUPILS from the Durham Federation school have clinching victory in an annual business contest.

The youngsters’ idea to turn driftwood and other items recovered from beaches into works of art – dubbed Earth in a Box – earned them first place in Future Business Magnates 2008-09.

The Durham Federation team rose from third place before last Thursday’s sixth and final contest challenge to pip Framwellgate School Durham.

Its success was announced at an awards ceremony at Ramside Hall Hotel, near Durham.

Dave Turnbull, chairman of the judges, said: “Having been involved for four years, I can say the innovation is improving and standards are improving year on year. It gets closer and closer and it’s very competitive.

“The passion that the kids have is brilliant. It’s good for the economy, bearing in mind we’re in a financial slump. What these youngsters are proposing – given the right marketing, some of these ideas could really take off.”

Framwellgate School, whose pupils created holders for mobile phones known as Soxy Phones, were leading the competition going into the final challenge, which saw contestants give 20-minute presentations to captains of industry.

Mr Turnbull, community safety manager for Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, said: “It’s been very difficult to pick a winner. They’ve all come up with very different marketable products and they’ve learned a lot.

“The Durham Federation project was great because every single gift was different.

It has a unique selling point. And all the gear for the project – given it’s collected through the right process – is free.”

Future Business Magnates, now in its fourth year, sees young people tackle six challenges related to setting up a business.

School teams are partnered with a business mentor.

This year’s contest has featured schools from Durham, Chester-le-Street, Easington and Northern Ireland.

Durham Federation is a partnership between Durham Community Business College in Ushaw Moor and Fyndoune Community College in Sacriston.

Its business mentor was Bramwells Jewellers, in the Prince Bishops shopping centre, Durham.

Belmont School finished third with a project titled Tidy Tops – mesh lids for open-top green recycling boxes to keep tins and cans from being blown away.

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