Northwood College girls enter the Dragons' Den!

Published on isbi School News dated Friday 3rd of May 2013

Girls from Northwood College pitched their business ideas to a panel of four 'Dragons' at the school's annual Dragons' Den event last night. About 60 girls aged 7-17 years took part and 12 finalists were chosen to enter the competition.

Four Dragons took their places on the stage: Dan Gray - Management Consultant, Ruth Ivory - Freelance Purchasing Director, Monty Meghjee - Director of Majenta Group and Jenny Room - Human Resources Director.

The tension was high as the girls, either individually or in pairs, took their turn on stage with just three or four minutes to make their impression by pitching their invention as persuasively as possible to the Dragons. Meanwhile, the audience watched on eagerly, taking part in their own challenge to read the Dragons' minds and guess who would be chosen as winner and runner up in both the Junior and Senior sections of the competition.

In the end, after much deliberation, the winners were selected. In the Junior Competition, Nishi Kandukuri from Year 6, scooped the first prize, with her 'Materealize' Smartphone app, which enables budding fashion designers to design an item of clothing featuring a photo they have taken on their phone and then sell it.

Runners up, Sakina Merali and Zahra Ahmad from Year 4, impressed the Dragons with their 'Nuts Finder', an ingenious little device that detects even small traces of nuts in various foods perfect for nut allergy sufferers.

In the Senior Competition, Davina Pindoria from Year 8 took first place with her 'Eco Printo', an eco-friendly printer which recycles wasted printed paper by cleaning the paper so that it can be reused, saving on both paper and ink. Close behind was Runner Up, Georgia Trainis from Year 12, with her 'Power Bag', a battery-powered handbag or rucksack that can charge your Smartphone or other electronic device whilst on the go. A handy little pouch on the outside of the bag also lights up when your phone rings or receives a message.

Tara Smith, Head of Cognitive Development in the Senior School and Beth Eagles, Head of Thinking Skills in the Junior School, joint organisers of the competition commented afterwards: 'This year's Dragons' Den event was once again a fantastic evening and all of us at Northwood College felt very proud of the girls - their courage, creativity and positive attitude really shone through. Congratulations go to all the girls who took part.'

Jenny Room also commented, "As Dragon's we were amazed by the level of innovation, research and creativity that had gone into each of their submissions and I can only assume that this has been a culmination of their overall participation in the Thinking Skills programme. In addition, their level of presentation skills was excellent, across the Junior and Senior girls. They were all very calm, clear and confident, which is so great to see. I was truly impressed! I believe it is testament to the school's approach in this way, to cognitive thinking and behaviors, which really sets the school apart from the rest and is a unique quality."

The Northwood College Dragons' Den event takes place each year, giving pupils the chance to demonstrate the skills that they learn as part of the school's innovative Thinking and Learning Skills programme. Character traits such as initiative, persistence, flexibility of mind and responsible risk taking are taught throughout the 3-18 girls' school.