The Big Challenge - Promoting Entrepreneurship in Schools and Colleges
Following on from last year’s success, the 2008/09 Big Challenge was re-launched on 8 September.
The BiG Challenge, part of the BiG – Make it Your Business programme, is a competition designed to encourage and generate enterprise in education. Teams of pupils receive £25 to start and run their business over a six month period. Their objective being to increase that amount by as much as possible, with teams being judged on their teamwork, innovation and entrepreneurship.
Last year, pupils from Myers Grove School won the top prize at the BiG Challenge awards: a five star trip to Harvard University in Boston, USA.
‘Bitz and Boblets’, a team of seven Y9 pupils, scooped the BiG prize by designing and making their own original, silver-plated jewellery. As well as selling at school, the team sold their jewellery at a hair salon in Broomhill, Hillsborough Leisure Centre, Morrison’s in Hillsborough, ASDA in Handsworth and at the Inspiring Women event at the Kenwood Hotel.
John Wilkinson, Headteacher at Myers Grove said: “This has been a fantastic opportunity for our pupils. The BiG Challenge is about raising aspirations, building self-esteem and equipping pupils with the desire to become successful in business.”
“The pupils have really thrown themselves into the BiG Challenge and the school has been right behind them. We will certainly be encouraging our pupils to enter again next year.”