News – local
Burgess Hill School hosts national competition
Burgess Hill School for Girls hosted the opening stages of a national competition to find the next generation of female entrepreneurs.
‘Ahead of the Game’ is backed by former BBC ‘Apprentice’ finalist, Claire Young and was launched by Louise Robinson, President of the Girls’ Schools Association (GSA).
In the first of four regional Enterprise Days on 19th March, the girls were challenged to ‘think like an entrepreneur’ and produce plans for filling an empty shop on their high street.
The winning teams from the four events will be invited to put their business proposals into practice in the second round, with a £50 start up fund from the GSA and sponsors of the event, The Royal Bank of Scotland, Research in Motion and Smart Study Ltd.
Louise Robinson said “We hope this competition will galvanise a new wave of entrepreneurship throughout our schools and we’re delighted to have both Claire Young and our sponsors on board to enthuse the girls and give them practical advice and ideas about how to develop their business ideas.”
Local business experts such as Richard Wheatley, Managing Director and Accountant at Wheatley & Co based in West Sussex, also gave their support to the competition, running workshops and offering advice.
Mr Wheatley said, “Dispelling the myth that girls have no interest in business finance, these young ladies showed true entrepreneurial spirit, armed with many innovative ideas and raising some very searching questions.”
The ‘Ahead of the Game’ competition is being rolled out over two weeks at three other girls’ schools across the country.
The overall winning team will be announced at the end of the year and presented with an ‘Ahead of the Game’ Award and an overnight trip to London to see a West End show.
Words: Ciaran Bushby
