Sixty Year 6 students from Nook Lane Junior School, Sheffield have completed a business enterprise challenge that saw them work in teams to form a company, design a uniform and build a model car before pitching to a panel of business owners in a ‘Dragon’s Den’ style finale earlier this week.

The programme, which has been offered to the school’s Year 6 students for the past four years, encompasses problem solving, cross curricular learning and provides an insight into running a business.

Proving a great hit with the students, the last three months has seen them perfecting every aspect of their business ready for their pitch to ‘The Dragons’ – a panel of judges comprised of parents, governors and local businesses including UK Steel Enterprise (UKSE).

Having been an ambassador for the programme for the last four years, alongside Jillian Goodison, Simon Hamilton – Managing Director of UKSE – said: “The enthusiasm that the children show for this competition is always a joy to see.

“Having worked closely with them for the duration, I would like to congratulate each and every one of them for their hard work throughout the process.”

As part of the programme the students benefitted from spending a day with experts at The University of Sheffield’s Engineering department who taught some of the technical skills that would be useful in the project whilst encouraging the enjoyment of STEM learning.

Katie Parkin, Year 6 teacher at Nook Lane Junior School, added: “From thinking of a name for the company, to designing the logo, uniform and car, the students have been excellent – it’s lovely to have seen them put so much care and thought into the project whilst practicing their teamwork and decision making skills.

“Here at Nook Lane, we love the Dragons’ Den project and incorporate it into our thematic curriculum year after year because of how successful it is in allowing the students to put the skills they’ve learned throughout the year in all of their subjects into practice in a ‘real life’ business scenario.”