The first Bristol Young Student of the Year Awards, held on Monday, provided a showcase for the talent in the city's schools and colleges with a glittering prize-giving ceremony.
The Awards, the brainchild of Bristol businesswoman Elaine Smith, had the objective of giving young people real business experience so that they could develop their communication skills, gain a better understanding of customer needs and be well placed to compete for an apprenticeship or other career opportunities.
Working in teams, 16 and 17 year olds from State schools, colleges and academies across Bristol developed iPhone apps for the Bloodhound Project, Brisfest, Hamilton House (Coexist) and The Station (Creative Youth Network).
Downend School scooped the awards for Best Presentation and Best Team Performance, with Downend student Harrison Trapnell winning both the Best Young Student award and a scholarship from BPP to go to its Bristol college.
Other winners were Castle School (Best App), Victoria Dymond of the Oasis Academy (Best Project Manager), Hamza Usman of City Academy and Seren Davies of Castle School (Most Innovative Student) and Parvej Islam from City of Bristol College (Most Improved Student).
The best apps were developed by Downend (for Hamilton House/Coexist), City Academy (the Bloodhound Project), Oasis (The Station) and Castle School (Brisfest).
The awards, staged at The Mall at Cribbs Causeway, were presented by Peaches Golding, former High Sheriff of Bristol, and TV news presenter Susan Osman.
More than 30 businesspeople mentored the students, with businesses and organisations including the BBC, apprentice training company Lifetime and The Mall helping and supporting them with training sessions.
The teams attended client meetings, writing marketing proposals, and presenting their app designs to their clients – all great experience for the world of work.
Bristol Business News is proud to support Bristol Young Student of the Year Awards as media partner.
