ESOL Students Take Part in ‘Dragon's Den’

Earlier this week, a very special event took place within the 16–18 ESOL programme, as our courageous students ran their very own version of Dragon's Den.

The project began last term, initiated by the dedicated ESOL staff as part of an employment-focused programme covering a wide range of workplace-related topics.

Students explored local businesses, examined various workplace roles, and learned about CV writing and job interviews. For their formative assessment, they worked collaboratively in groups to generate innovative business ideas, allowing their creativity to shine. These ideas were then presented to a panel, which included John Robertson, David Crew (Managing Director of Somerset Chamber of Commerce), and Mir Sadat, an Afghan refugee and founder of Noor Creatives - a business dedicated to illuminating ideas and inspiring growth.

Alexia Sporidis, Head of ESOL, said, “I cannot express the pride I felt in our learners, as they stood in front of their peers, and an external panel and presented their ideas. They had created logos, included the structure of the business and the rationale for their innovative ideas.

“The winners received tablets, with thanks to funding from the Virtual Schools here in North Somerset, and the runners up will receive awards at the end of the academic year. In my mind, EVERYONE was a winner, the ideas were great, the presentations were high calibre, and the teamwork was outstanding. Thank you to everyone who supported this ambitious project.”