Oakham School pupils have been selling products to fellow students and staff in the culmination of a year-long entrepreneurship activity.

This is the second year of the Freddie Groome Enterprise Challenge, a business-led activity set up in memory of Old Oakhamian Freddie (’13), who sadly passed away in 2020.

Four teams of Form 6 (Year 12) pupils worked on establishing retail businesses across the academic year. The pupils worked together to develop their strategies, branding, finances and marketing ahead of a busy marketplace event in which their products were sold to members of the school community.

A wide range of products were on offer, including jewellery, fidget toys and stickers. Each team approached the challenge in a different way, using different branding and promotional techniques to help generate sales.

Jewellery business Orla & Co capitalised on strong branding, including giving out custom pink shopping bags to customers. Competitor business Team Spades offered bead bracelets in colours corresponding with Oakham School’s Houses.

Team LOC focused on offering variety, while FAGO generated a buzz by giving out stickers promoting their business.

The scheme is supported by the Groome family to help preserve the legacy of Freddie, a lover of business and entrepreneurship. The aim of the project is to support and encourage entrepreneurs of the future by offering practical experience. Sarah Donlevy, Head of Business at Oakham School, said: “This is the second year we have run the Freddie Groome Enterprise Challenge and it has been an overwhelming success.

“The level of engagement and enthusiasm amongst the pupils has been very satisfying.

“The scheme provides an opportunity for pupils to apply their learning in a practical scenario, with a bit of healthy competition between the teams.

“The Freddie Groome Enterprise Challenge is a great example of the sort of highly beneficial enrichment opportunities that we offer as part of an Oakham education.”

The project’s success was recently recognised in the Muddy Stilettos School Awards 2023, being Highly Commended in the Empowering Young Entrepreneurs category.