The Harris Academy Business Challenge was created with our long term corporate supporter PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC). Over 100 volunteers from PwC shared their knowledge of business and financial planning, project management and presentation skills during their London volunteering week at the beginning of June.
The Business Challenge was based around our Key Skills for Business and Enterprise programme with the Olympics 2012 as the theme. The students had to create a souvenir for the Games and set up a food hall with a themed menu and present them, ‘Dragons Den’ style, to a panel of judges. The winning team from each Academy took part in the final to find the ultimate winners. PwC hosted the rehearsals for the event at their offices and in the afternoon the presentations were made to the judges in the imposing Westminster room in St Martin-in-the-Fields. The panel of judges was made up of Lord Harris, Dr Moynihan the Chief Executive of the Harris Federation, and PwC senior management including Keith Mansfield.
Over 1100 students took part from the 7 academies during the week. The winning team was from the Harris City Academy Crystal Palace and their souvenir was a board game based around the different Olympic sites.
They won a day at PwC’s head office in London, plus a donation from PwC for £250 for their Academy. Very positive feedback was received from the students, teachers and volunteers.
Student Comments
“I enjoyed being able to work with people I have never worked with before. I learnt more about enterprise and experience what it is like to work to a deadline.”
“It was really well organised. I thought it was thought out well and enjoyable for teenagers. We got to learn new skills for when we are older.”
“I found it really fun and interesting. We also learnt a lot of skills. The best thing about it is it makes you feel like you’re in a business, and you’re actually trying to make the best product.”
“I enjoyed the creativity and I thought it was really interesting and fun. I learnt a lot more about business and enterprise. It was an enjoyable experience and would do it again if I could.”
“I enjoyed everything today. I like how we could express our different ideas and have complete freedom over what we wanted to do. I also like presenting our ideas as it shows us all different people’s work.”
“I learned how tough business really is and how much you really need to work in a group to make your business successful. It is hard to keep track of everything.”
“I enjoyed working as a team and pitching our idea. I learned how to work in groups I don’t normally work with.”
Teacher Comments
“Students seemed to be really enjoying what they were doing and were all giving really positive feedback. All in all I thought that it was a very good session, students were using appropriate terminology confidently and were using many enterprising skills.”
“Team work skills, increased confidence and self-esteem. I think this programme was great and the students really enjoyed it.”
Volunteer Comments
“It helps improve my communication skills and I had to flex styles in communicating with students at the Academy (instead of clients at work). Volunteers come back to the office refreshed & motivated, working outside their comfort areas helps develop skills which can be used in business.”
“It teaches me more about myself and my ability to cope in new situations. It helps my communication skills and allows me to bring perspective to my work.”
“It may seem strange but even as a business mentor, this experience has boosted my confidence levels.”
“Different dynamics of learning and utilising different skills. It is important for us to support the local community.”
“Dealing with different people in different environments can only help with my confidence in presenting.”
