Students from Kirk Hallam Community Academy got a taste of university life as part of an Apprentice-style challenge day.

A group of sixth formers from the school visited the University of Derby to take part in the Business Challenge event.

Competing with other teams, the five Business Studies students had to develop a business idea for a retail unit in the atrium at the University’s Kedleston Road campus.

Each team had to come up with a name, target market, identify potential competitors and say how they would market and advertise the business, before coming up with a basic brand or logo.

They day was rounded off with the teams pitching their business idea to a panel of experts made up of academics from Derby Business School, former students and members of the University’s marketing team.

Among the ideas developed were for a milkshake and smoothie store and a homeware shop. Kirk Hallam student Ellie Smith was among a group who pitched a beauty treatment salon and winning a £10 Amazon voucher for her work.

Adam Spence, Business Studies teacher at Kirk Hallam Community Academy, said: “The group of Year 12s really embraced the opportunity to see university life first hand and test their classroom knowledge.

“They really enjoyed the opportunity to meet other students and working in a different environment. Their ideas were fantastic and they really got a lot out of the day.”

Photo: Kirk Hallam Business Studies students Harvir Heer and Ellie Smith at the University of Derby.