Smooth operators' fruity inventions

YOUNGSTERS at Beccles Middle school enjoyed a fruity foray into the world of business yesterday as part of a Dragons' Den style challenge.

The ambitious Year 7 pupils spent the day showing off several weeks' worth of hard work in creating, marketing and making sales pitches for their very own fruit smoothies.

Their colourful trade stands in the hall were set up to attract the experienced eyes of business men and women from the town who took on the role of dragons for the day. The eight judges sampled the drinks and fired questions at each of the teams, who not only created their own concoctions, but also designed their own logos, leaflets and business cards, and even made television adverts.

Dragon Alison Storey, from Rainbow in Beccles, said: “The trade stands are professional and really impressive. Anything which means they are interacting with adults and learning about the business side of things is good.”

The sales day was the culmination of the English project which tied into the term's work on persuasive texts.

Russell Arnold, 11, whose team launched Tropical Treat, a smoothie with a pineapple, clementine and plum flavour, said the project had taught his “company” about teamwork and decision-making.

“It's been good,” he said. “One of the best things about it is being independent and making your own choices without someone else telling you what to do.”

Headteacher David Baker said the project interlinked a range of skills and subjects, and commended the pupils for their enthusiasm.

“I think they have responded incredibly to it - they've taken it on board the way we intended them to,” he said. “They've gone wholeheartedly into it.”

He added “Also it's stimulated a lot of them to work at home independently, not just in school.”