“We initially raised capital by designing and making Festive Snowmen and decorations that we sold at Christmas Fairs in Lichfield and at Croft Primary School”, she said.

The team also cunningly scheduled their YE programme activities around their mock examinations held by their school in December. By adopting this approach the team has been able to maintain its cohesion and build upon its initial success.

 “We exceeded our expectations with more than 70 Snowmen characters sold; and with those profits have been able to launch our innovative book for Year 6 and 7 students”, added Sales Manager, Dan Morgan.

Their illustrated 28-page book entitled ‘Charlie jumps the Gap’ is targeted at Year 6 and 7 pupils who are making the transition to Secondary School.

From the Dragon’s Den event held back in Burton in December the team took away suggestions to improve the storyline in their book. They used that advice as the catalyst to complete detailed research for each of the key messages to students in their unique book.

“Our book is aimed at helping these students in managing their expectations versus reality”, pointed out Ms Marshall, “We know from our own experience that this can be a difficult time. So, our book will help them all be more ‘comfortable’”.

Their illustrated book contains sketches and cartoons drawn by members of team complemented by short sections of advice to reassure the young students about to start their life at Secondary School.

An international flavour has been brought to the Presence team with two students from Europe amongst its members. Exchange students, Stina Heed from Sandviken in Sweden and Rosalie Schietzel from Dresden, in Germany, joined the team and focussed on the production of the Christmas decorations and now the student book.

“Joining the Young Enterprise team has been a great way to meet different groups of students at Nether Stowe”, said Stina and Rosalie.

“We were unaware of YE in Germany or Sweden, so being part of Presence was a bonus. We have enjoyed contributing in different ways and bringing an alternative perspective to the production of the book. We will be taking away great memories from our time with the team”, they added.

Young Enterprise is the leading company programme devised and operated in schools to give years 10 to 13 experience in setting up and running their own ‘organisations’.

Young Enterprise was started 50 years ago, and whilst not unique, can claim to have an established reputation at schools across the UK.

“Our next major Young Enterprise event in Staffordshire will be the Trade Fair in the newly renovated Market Hall in Burton on Saturday 27 February, starting at 9.00am”, added Young Enterprise South and East Staffordshire Chairman, Peter Farmer.

“It will be a big opportunity for all of this year’s teams to make significant sales to all those Burtonians and visitors to the town who will be visiting the Hall as part of their weekly shopping”.

For more information contact:

Peter Farmer

peter@pandv.co.uk

01827 330941; 07791 835236

Or

Mrs Sian Smith

Netherstowe High School

01543 263 446

Photo caption:

Presence the Young Enterprise team from Nether Stowe School, Lichfield, show off the cover of their 28-page book for Years 6 and 7 - ‘Charlie jumps the Gap’ – to be printed and available at the Annual Trade Fair on Saturday 27 February. Holding the book are: Presence team from left to right Jay Myatt -  Production Director, Emily Marshall - Managing Director, Lewis Byrne - Company Secretary and Dan Morgan - Sales Director.