CURRICULUM & ACTIVITIES
DRAGON ’ S DEN
A team of Lower Sixth students put their entrepreneurial skills to the test this term , when they pitched their business idea to judges in a Young Enterprise Dragons ’ Den style event held on Microsoft Teams .
The event was organised by a local franchise of the Young Enterprise scheme , whose mission is to empower young people to discover , develop and celebrate their skills and potential , and was open to all Lower Sixth students from senior schools in the region .
Pocklington School ’ s team , GoodWoods Furniture , worked through cost , revenue figures and a marketing plan , before presenting their business idea to the judges , who then posed questions and offered a critique . Students Tom Dyson ( Managing Director ) and Lucy Wedge , supported by
Harry Holland ( Joint Managing Director ) and fellow team members , pitched their environmentally-friendly garden furniture product to the Dragons , including Miranda Spencer of Cranswick PLC , Jason Stockwood of B Corp and Simply Business , and former pupil Harry Coates ( 97-08 ) of Just Paper Tubes Ltd .
The Dragons praised the Pocklington team for being so professional and gave them credit for delivering their presentation without notes , providing good financial information , and answering all the judges ’ questions .
Gareth Shepherd , Head of Economics and Business studies at Pocklington School , said : “ The students worked so hard through last term ’ s restrictions and this term ’ s lockdown . They have not only pitched to the Dragons , but have also produced a prototype , developed their marketing , and are building a website – we are so proud of them .”
LOWER SCHOOL HISTORY TRIP
Pickering Castle and Rievaulx Abbey – After a pesky pandemic scuppered our trip plans last year , the department was overjoyed to restart our annual trip with our First Year pupils to Pickering Castle and Rievaulx .
The typical Yorkshire weather did not dampen spirits and an excellent group of pupils had a fascinating day learning about the aftermath of the Norman Conquest in Yorkshire and the austere lives of Cistercian monks in the shadow of the mighty ruins of Rievaulx .
Taking inspiration from Horrible Histories , we even managed to get some gruesome tales in about toilet-related medieval deaths ! And it wasn ’ t all history ... pupils created some stunning artworks inspired by the romantic historical ruins ; flexed their creative writing muscles ; and had an architectural masterclass .
A big thank you to a truly great bunch of pupils , who made the day what it was , as well as the fabulous staff who joined us .
32 THE POCKLINGTONIAN