Supporting the Government’s Enterprise Education entitlement for young people, the Co-operative Challenge Final took place in the Jackson Theatre at the University of Lincoln on the 8th of June 2007.

 

The Challenge was open to all Year 9 (13-14 year old) students across Lincolnshire and Rutland and required them to demonstrate their understanding of a co-operative business model and promote a Lincolnshire Co-operative fairtrade product of their choice of media.

 

The students had a lively start to what promised to be a fun filled day with the attendance at workshops facilitated by Mark and Spencer, Starbucks, Lincolnshire Co-operative and the University of Lincoln. The workshops proved to be quite hands-on for the students who got to sample fair-trade products and learn about where they came from.  They also highlighted the more thought provoking aspects of the fairtrade movement including its values and principles.  The students were also given an insight into what it would be like to study at the University of Lincoln.

 

Throughout the morning each school group got to present their ideas to a panel of judges who were looking for impact, creativity and research along with effective presentation and team working skills.

 

Students from The Robert Manning Technology College took the trophy for their excellent presentation which had focus, deliberation and research and was also entertaining and well timed. Each team member received a Sony PSP. In second place was The Casterton Community College who received a DVD player each and in third place came Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Alford whose team members each received a digital camera.

 

Deborah Sutton, a teacher from the Robert Manning Technology College said ‘Loved the workshops from national Companies, made the students appreciate the wider nature of fairtrade’

 

This was opinion was reflected by a student from The Uppingham Community College who said ‘I learnt all about fairtrade and its importance I also learnt that teamwork is important’.