The Rendcomb pupils spent the day learning from the expertise of Matt Draycott, a Business and Enterprise lecturer at the RAU. The day started with a session looking at the market for their businesses, using Matt’s model of ‘Break It, Better It’, to delve deeper into their business ideas and identify the areas of weakness before making plans to solve these issues. The teams also looked at who their target market really is, helping them to narrow down before scaling up in this area.

After a lovely lunch in the RAU’s Dining Hall, the sixth formers were treated to an informative and friendly tour of the campus, which left many feeling inspired and excited about opportunities after leaving school.

The afternoon session focused on sales strategies and communication skills, culminating with every pupil delivering a 2 minute pitch on themselves, which were all completed to a high standard, even those who were very nervous about their ability to do so beforehand.

Mrs Ash said: “The teams have come back to school with a real enthusiasm to take their businesses to the next step, in fact significant progress has now been made for each business with prototypes expected by the time we break for the Christmas Holidays. “

The two Rendcomb Enterprise teams; Cat- Eco and Grecco have some great business plans.

Capt-Eco: To take used plastic and turn it into 3D filament using an extruder that they are making themselves to sell to schools and businesses.

Greeco: To produce educational board games out of recycled material, based around widening understanding of environmental issues.

Special thanks must go to Katy Duke, Head of Enterprise at the RAU, for organising the day for the Rendcomb students. It is wonderful to have built such strong links with the local university and the Enterprise teams are looking forward to their next event at the Cirencester Youth Market.