The Real Business Challenge

Created and organised by Coca-Cola Enterprises, the Real Business Challenge is an educational programme that provides training for teachers as well as an inter-school enterprise competition for Year 10 (aged 14 & 15) students. It is designed to give students the skills and experience they need for greater employability and entrepreneurship.

Run by Coca-Cola Enterprises with regional partners, these initiatives link with UK national curriculum requirements and support the Government's enterprise education agenda. Throughout, students are given challenges to help develop skills like:

• Problem solving
• Teamwork
• Leadership
• Financial capability
• Creativity

The Real Business Challenge was developed in Yorkshire but has grown to be a national initiative that, in 2010, involved schools from 7 regions: London, The South East, Wales, The Midlands, Yorkshire, the North East and Scotland. It is now accredited by Edexcel, the leading provider of internationally recognised educational qualifications, with a BTEC WorkSkills qualification and can count towards a GCSE.

All teachers who register for the challenge have the opportunity of a full day of professional development at one of our sites.  In 2010 around 150 teachers received the training. Every school involved is given a comprehensive pack to help deliver the challenge with more information on a dedicated website.

In 2010, we asked teams of pupils to draw up a business plan for a new soft drink brand. The challenge involved working out production costs, a marketing strategy as well as tackling issues around sustainability. Around 25,000 pupils took part nationally and the student teams that performed best across the regions took part in a national final in early 2011.

The seven regional winners from Scotland, Wales, London, the Midlands, the North East, South East and Yorkshire travelled to the finals at BAFTA headquarters in London. They students were mentored by celebrity guest judge, Phil Packer MBE, as well as business professionals from CCE, who provided them with expert insight and advice to develop their product. Following presentations by the schools, Ridgewood School was crowned the 2010 Real Business Challenge Champions.

In addition employees from Coca-Cola Enterprises participate as mentors lending over 800 hours of their time each year to encourage students to produce innovative business ideas.

Luke Shemilt, teacher at Ridgewood School, said: "We are so proud of the team who have worked incredibly hard and thoroughly deserve their success. It just goes to show that hard work and preparation pays off ‑ our students have learned so much and it has been a really rewarding experience for them."  Luke Shemilt, teacher at Ridgewood School, Doncaster