Tourist bag drop idea sees pupils lift prize
Arran High School has finished joint third in a Dragons’ Den-style competition.
The Sir Tom Hunter Challenge saw pupils from across Ayrshire come up with an original idea for a product, innovation or business.
Eight pupils from Arran High School’s S3 business class came up with ‘Drive n Drop’, a service which would pick up tourists’ luggage from the ferry when they arrive and drop it off at their hotel.
This would mean that visitors would be free to explore the island without the worry of hauling their luggage around, as it would be delivered directly to their accommodation.
They had to present their idea to judges, including Sir Tom Hunter himself, at the final, held last Monday at the Park Hotel in Kilmarnock. Sir Tom said: ‘The Ayrshire and Arran schools taking part were a huge inspiration and should be roundly congratulated, as should the teachers and councils supporting them.
‘The ideas the teams came up with, the teamwork they put in, the opportunities they identified, all contributed to an exceptional outcome.’
The pupils received £1,000 for the school after winning third prize.
Head teacher Barry Smith said: ‘We are very proud of the achievements of this group of young people and the way they confidently presented their ideas to the judges on the evening. Entrepreneurial spirit is certainly alive and well in the young people of Arran.’
North Ayrshire councillor John Bruce, cabinet member for education attainment and achievement, added: ‘For Arran High to finish joint third is a great credit to the pupils and their teachers. The pupils have learned a huge amount from the process and we’re very proud of their achievements.’
The winning team was St Joseph’s Academy from Kilmarnock, with Prestwick Academy coming joint third alongside the Arran team.