Organised in partnership with employers including PwC, Deloitte, Atkins and many others, the event is designed to identify the talented leaders of the future and highlight the importance of UK businesses engaging with schools. More than 2,000 school and college students registered for the challenge and took an online intelligence and skills test, with the top 10 from each of the UK’s 10 regions going through to the final, where they took part in practical activities, including individual and group exercises to test their decision making, creativity and business awareness.
Overall winner, year-12 student Yifei said: “I’m really thrilled to have been named as the national winner. It was a challenging process and fellow students who took part were tough competition, but everyone at my school was really supportive and I think everyone involved gained really valuable experience from it. It was a brilliant opportunity to meet and talk with some of the top recruiters and understand what prospects could be out there for me when I finish my studies.”
First prize saw Yifei win £1,000 for her school and £500 for herself. Sue Gorham, head of Nottingham Girls’ High School, said: “We’re all so proud of Yifei and her fantastic achievement. There’s a really high calibre of students who take part in the challenge so it is no small accomplishment. Yifei is a really dedicated student and there’s nothing she can’t do when she puts her mind to it. The National Schools’ Challenge has given her invaluable practice and first-hand experience of the recruitment process and business world which will stand her in good stead for the future.”
