Over three days, students took part in the Launchpad programme delivered by Young Enterprise, a leading education charity that works with schools across the UK to equip young people with the skills, knowledge and confidence to succeed in the world of work. The programme is designed to introduce students to enterprise, entrepreneurship and employability through real-life challenges.
Working in teams, they were tasked with developing a business idea, identifying a gap in the market, managing a budget and preparing a final pitch.
Students explored areas including pricing, sales and digital marketing, before presenting their ideas to an external judging panel. The programme culminated in a Dragon’s Den-style showcase, where teams were assessed on creativity, teamwork and financial planning.
Awards were presented across a range of categories, including Best Elevator Pitch and Best New Business, recognising strong teamwork, creative thinking and effective financial planning.
Teams were recognised across a range of categories, including best overall business, innovation and marketing, teamwork and social enterprise. The final judging panel selected a number of winners, reflecting the breadth of ideas and skills demonstrated throughout the programme.
“The progress students made over a short period of time was striking. They engaged seriously with budgeting, marketing and decision-making, and showed real resilience when refining their ideas. Programmes like this give students vital real-world insights into the world of business, connecting classroom learning with future career paths.”
“Every student grew in confidence while developing key skills such as problem-solving, design and teamwork. It’s clear that the faculty at Noel-Baker Academy are deeply committed to developing socially conscious young leaders. A special shout-out goes to Mr. Wells, whose passion for teaching and doing the right thing for students was genuinely inspiring.”
“This was an excellent opportunity for our students to develop practical skills that will support them well beyond the classroom. The Launchpad programme challenged them to think creatively, solve problems and work effectively as a team – all key skills that Noel-Baker Academy endeavours to help our students hone.”
