The LionHeart Challenge
On Monday 31st January, Salford City Academy students participated in The LionHeart Challenge, a nationwide enterprise programme for schools.
180 Year 10 students, including a team of Year 9 Gifted and Talented students, were challenged to identify specific crime issues of concern to them as the young citizens of their community. They then had to suggest how these issues should be tackled by developing innovative solutions and a full business proposal around these ideas.
Working in teams, students developed a business proposal which included defining job roles (i.e. finance, design, marketing etc), designing a product solution to combat an identified issue and target market and producing a financial plan and marketing solution.
Ideas on the day utilised mobile phone applications, the internet and CCTV for improving personal safety for children and fighting drug crime, as well as establishing Youth Clubs to combat gang culture and anti-social behaviour.
Malek Abdo, Year 10 student said:
"It was a really great day. Everyone in our team came together, spoke out and also listened really well. The challenge helped me practise my presentation skills and improve my marketing and design skills."
The day involved an energetic and high impact business challenge which was delivered by dedicated LionHeart Business Coaches who were on hand to mentor the students and ensure their business idea would lead to success! On completion of the business proposal, students delivered a presentation to their peers, teachers and business professionals.
A judging panel including representatives from LionHeart's national sponsor, the Chartered Institute of Accountants, as well as from the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Greater Manchester Police, and Salford City Academy followed all the teams' ideas and business proposals, as they developed throughout the day, and marked students' efforts. Prizes were awarded for Best Financial Plan, Best Marketing Plan, Most Effective Team, Best Overall Product Concept and Best Final Presentation before the Overall LionHeart Challenge Winner was announced.
The winning team was Team 6 with ‘Cam Spy'. They will now go on to represent Salford City Academy at the first ever Greater Manchester Area Final on 16th March 2012.
Pamela Caudewell, LionHeart Programme Co-ordinator, said:
"Everyone worked hard and showed dedication to the challenge. It was fantastic to see the high level of work achieved, the great professionalism and respect the students showed for each other. In our eyes everyone was a winner today."