Private School News

PRIOR PARK STUDENTS FACE THE DRAGON’S DEN

Prior Park College pupils have been pitching their ideas to the ‘Dragons’ at McCann Erickson in Bristol as part of a school media module.

Four groups of Year Nine students presented ideas for a new brand of cereal for children to a panel of Prior Park teachers and McCann Erickson professionals, including Managing Director Fraser Bradshaw. The students were judged on product originality, design and the quality of their pitch.

The winning group, with cereal ‘Pirate Plunder’, included Harriet Gallegos, 14, Thomas Morrison, 14, and Alex Clarke, 13. The name and slogan “Make every day one big adventure” made for an inspired combination – the very depiction of escapism.

The team worked hard on inventing the ‘lucky dip’ theme, where the consumer picks one of seven different cereals from the box at random. The judges were also impressed by the eye-catching packaging and the quality of educational activities and games included on the box. The children were also tasked with ensuring that the product was fun whilst also being nutritional.

McCann Erickson Managing Director, Fraser Bradshaw, comments:

“I was impressed by the slick nature of all the pitches and the mature manner in which the students presented their work. Some of the ideas I’m sure would stand up against the work of established professionals. Congratulations to the winners – we really enjoyed watching your pitch.”

Headmaster, James Murphy O’Connor, comments:

“This initiative has been a great opportunity for the children to gain some invaluable life skills and experience of the working world. Some of the students who took part have already enquired about work experience at McCann Erickson so this served as a good ‘foot in the door’ exercise for them. The students were placed in a real-life situation and were treated like adults; using their imagination and intellect to plan how to spend a £1million budget. As the scheme has been so successful and we have received lots of positive feedback from students, the English department hopes to run it on an annual basis.”

Contact us at Prior Park College on 01225 831000 or info@priorpark.co.uk. To find out more about the College, visit www.priorparkschools.co.uk.