For a fifth year, Countrystyle signs up for Maplesden Noakes Business Challenge. Running in its’ 12th year, this invaluable competition gives students the opportunity to work with real businesses from across Kent to complete a business challenge set. Student’s face unique challenges that are designed to give them a real insight into the world of work. As an added incentive, the teams compete to win £1000. Alongside Countrystyle, the Hazlitt Theatre, Kent Ambulance Service, Medi-1, Metro Bank, Oakwood House, and others signed up to the challenge.
Countrystyle this year tasked the students to develop a new section of the website for the Schools Initiative. Increasing in popularity, the Schools Initiative has expanded due to demand and the students provided a fresh approach and invaluable research.
Following two week’s hard work culminating in the syndicates’ final presentations to the judging panel. The awards evening took place shortly after here the winning team was presented with the prize money and the shield.
The awards were held in the scenic Oakwood House Hotel. The audience of students, teachers and parents heard many accounts of how hard the teams had worked, their professionalism and the sheer creativity with which they approached their various real-world business challenges.
The success of this event grows annually and its benefit to students are clear for all to see – especially those who work with them and are impressed by their increased confidence, maturity, responsibility, leadership and teamwork.
In the true awards evening tradition of reverse order: in third place was Team 13 winning £250, second place was Team 15 with Oakwood House winning £500 prize and first place was awarded to Team 17 Working with Medi-1.
Congratulations the winners and well done to all the teams taking part!