Over 80 students from Little Lever School have completed an ethical business challenge, as part of an enterprise day hosted by Bolton College.

The Year 10 students were tasked with designing a product or service aimed at making the world a better place, whilst still remaining profitable. Eager pupils were given specific roles within their groups, which were made up of marketing executives, financial controllers and ethical advisors.

The winning team was called Tech Finders, consisting of Callum Doherty, 14, Callum Smith, 15, Connor Entwistle, 15, Kaigan Stevens, 15, Matthew Bowker, 15 and Mark MacArtney, 15. The group came up with an innovative idea to produce a key ring that could be fitted to a valuable item, which could then be tracked through a GPS system when misplaced. In line with the ethical nature of the challenge, the key ring was solar-powered and made from recycled materials.  

Groups were judged by Bolton College’s marketing and corporate communications manager, Steve Murphy, and business enterprise manager, Jon Lomas. The winners were crowned the ‘Little Lever Ethical Business Champions 2012’ and each received a £10 Amazon voucher. 

Little Lever student and ethical business champion, Mark MacArtney 15, said: “It was a great experience to be involved in the business challenge. The staff at the college were really helpful and everyone participated fully. All day I felt like I was working in a real business, with real-life situations and experiences."

“We have some really important decisions to make in the coming year about the next steps in our education and career, so it was also a fantastic opportunity to look around the Bolton College campus and learn about the variety of options on offer, like apprenticeships and college courses. I will definitely be considering attending Bolton College after my GCSEs.”

The ethical business challenge was designed to give school pupils the perfect chance to get a taste of the commercial world.

Steve Murphy, said: “The enterprise day was the first of its kind at Bolton College. The event gave the Little Lever students a first hand experience of interactive college learning.

“It was really encouraging to see the pupils’ creativity and enthusiasm throughout the challenge. We were extremely impressed with the level of maturity and the amount of thought the students put into their work and presentations.

“We look forward to hosting similar activities for schools in and around the Bolton area, following the popularity and success of this event.”

The ethical business challenge was part of an ongoing affiliation between Little Lever and Bolton College. Previously, the college and school have worked together on other activities, including a workshop on retail skills and various other training taster days at the multi-million state-of-the-art campus on Deane Road.