Oakham School entrepreneurs have been selling products to staff and pupils as part of a new business-led activity set up in memory of former student, Freddie Groome.

Form 6 (Year 12) pupils created businesses, came up with ideas for a product to sell and then marketed it to the School ahead of the marketplace event. They then set up stalls on the School grounds in their teams and sold their chosen products to their audience.

The stalls included jewellery, fidget spinner pens and sticky ceiling balls, all of which were very popular with their target market. 

The pupils taking part in the activity had all studied the newly-launched Freddie Groome Enterprise Challenge, which pays homage to late Old Oakhamian Freddie ('13) and was set up in his memory after he tragically passed away in 2020.

As a lover of all things business, Freddie's family, along with his former classmates, wanted Freddie's legacy to live on at the School and have funded the project to give pupils the opportunity to thrive in the world of enterprise. 

Over the past academic year, pupils have developed their business-building skills during their Activity period by learning how to prepare, develop and review their own business ideas. 

Form 6 pupil Ruben said: "My overall view of the day was that it was critical to my understanding of a business and how it runs. It increased my confidence of speaking to others and trying to sell something to someone.

"By doing the Freddie Groome Business Enterprise activity, I feel it has made my ambition in life much clearer and has really shown me how hard work can bring success."

"It was an experience I wouldn't forget. It's not often you get an opportunity like this." 

Throughout the scheme, pupils demonstrated a range of enterprising skills including teamwork, leadership and innovation. 

The course will now finish with a review of the success and profit of each business.

Sarah Donlevy, Head of Business at Oakham School, said: "This excellent activity has enabled our pupils to develop crucial enterprise skills that will prepare them for the world of work."

"Over the course of the challenge, pupils learnt the ins and outs of how to run a business and develop the experience they need to set them apart from other candidates in the competitive jobs, apprenticeship and university markets." 

"The Freddie Groome Enterprise Activity is a welcome addition to the range of enrichment opportunities that we offer as part of an Oakham education."

Oakham School is an independent day and boarding school for 10 to 18 year olds set in the heart of the town.

Oakham School also recently raised upwards of £750 for Ukrainian refugees and celebrated the Queen's Platinum Jubilee by planting trees around the campus.

Congratulations to all involved in these recent endeavours.