Thurso High School team wins Young Enterprise company of the year award
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A team of young business learners at Thurso High School is setting its sights on national success after winning a Young Enterprise competition.
The team of three, calling themselves "Current", were crowned as company of the year at the Young Enterprise Scotland Highland and Moray finals.
They were also highly commended best trade stand, best financial management, best presentation, best company report, and pioneering leadership award, presented to the team's managing director Ashleigh Coghill.
The trio, which also includes Natalie Polson and Ellie Henderson, will now go on to represent Highlands and Moray at the Young Enterprise Scotland (YES) national finals held in Glasgow, in May.
Taking on the Young Enterprise initiative alongside their studies, the S6 pupils were inspired to create a product to help liven up travel monotony for children in Caithness and Sutherland.
After conducting research within local primary schools, the young entrepreneurs designed a product unique to the challenges of rural family life in the Highlands and “Social-Eyes” was born. The scavenger hunt bingo game aims to connect children and families in a fun, intergenerational activity and encourage engagement with their local surroundings.
Ashleigh said: “Throughout the process of developing our Young Enterprise company, we have gained invaluable business experience. To have created Social-Eyes, which so many enjoy, has been so rewarding and I am immensely proud of the team.
"We have worked so hard these last few months, and I am so happy that our innovation and creativity was recognised by being awarded company of the year. We are excited to represent the Highlands and Moray at the Scottish finals.”
Social-Eyes was launched in December and has proved a hit with young children and families, with 100 units being sold. The team is now looking to expand and sees a potential market for Social-Eyes in tourists travelling the popular North Coast 500 route.
Lucy Bremner, business management teacher at Thurso High School, said: “I have been incredibly fortunate in supporting the pupils who have immersed themselves in the spirit of enterprise this year and they are very deserving of their achievements. All at Thurso High are exceptionally proud of them.”
Running over a full academic year, the YES initiative provides a real-life learning opportunity, introducing young people to the realities of the world of work and business enterprise. Alongside Mrs Bremner, the team has been mentored by Caithness Chamber of Commerce chief executive, Trudy Morris.
Ms Morris said: “This initiative is incredibly important in enhancing young people’s employability skills and the confidence built during the project can help young people reach their full potential.
"Quality real-world experiences such as this are invaluable in developing and enhancing the prospects of young people and readying them for the world of work.”
