Teen team scoop second in contest

Students from Anthony Gell School battled more than 80 teams from across the region to take second spot in competition.

Tied into the national curriculum, the ‘Design a Sub’ contest asked teams to compete to create the best marketing campaign and business plan around their new sub, based on the theme of #SocialSubs. The designs had to be both a healthier choice and nutritious sandwich option, created for the brand’s low-fat subs range.

Using a rigorous selection process, the teams were whittled down to six finalists: Anthony Gell School in Wirksworth, Chilwell School, Nottingham, The Blue Coat Church of England School and Music College in Coventry, Wigmore High School, Leominster, Madani Boys School in Leicester, and The Sixth Form College, Solihull.

All six schools were invited to an exciting Dragons’ Den-style pitch at St. Andrew’s Stadium, Birmingham City Football Club in front of a judging panel to win the top.

The Wirksworth team, consisting of Megan Doxey, Natasha Smith, Erica Hawking, Rebecca Knowles and Miranda Marshall was pipped to the post in what was a very tight contest. The enterprising team created the ‘Brazuru’ sub, consisting of roast beef, tomato, gerkins and peppered cheese on Italian white bread.

The students didn’t leave empty-handed though as their hard work was rewarded with a share of £250 of Apple vouchers.

Paul Brierley, head of business studies at the school, said: “The students really enjoyed taking part in the challenge.

“It gave them a tangible experience of how business works and the skills needed to make see a project through to fruition. They did a fantastic job.”

Subway entrepreneur Andrea Fleck, who chaired the judging panel commented: “All the pupils did a brilliant job and we were extremely impressed with their pitches and the creativity of their ideas. They demonstrated a high level of thought and creativity when devising their business plans and had obviously worked extremely hard.”