ASPIRING young entrepreneurs from Tattygar Primary School in Lisbellaw have received a prestigious honour after setting up their own “innovative and profitable” business.

As part of the province-wide Junior Industry Challenge, pupils from P5 to P7 created ‘Tattygar Terrific Timbers’, making wooden cup coasters, with the company motto of ‘You’ve tried the rest, now go with the best’.

The students began work on the project four months ago and a video was put together of their journey. All decisions relating to the business were made by the children voting.

The aim of the Junior Industry Challenge project is to create a small enterprise, design and make a product with a specific purpose and sell the product to make a profit. It encourages the development of links with business and industry and enriches the learning experience for pupils.

The children made a wooden photo frame and a wooden game before designing a product of their own. Carrying out extensive market research, the pupils got their parents to respond and vote on which product they would like best.

Following the research, the children decided to make cup coasters. After the orders were taken and money paid, the production of 169 wooden cup coasters began!

The Tattygar pupils were full participants in all aspects of the project, including designing, cutting, sanding, painting and finishing of the product. They carried out investigations and experiments to inform their decision-making to ensure the creation of a product of optimum quality and purpose. The Junior Industry Challenge programme is run in junction with Sentinus, which encourages schools and colleges throughout Northern Ireland to deliver programmes which promote engagement in Science, Technology and Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and support the development of young people by enhancing their essential life skills. After a visit to the school by a Sentinus inspector, the children were delighted to learn that their enterprise had received a Gold Level award.

The inspector, Dominick McCartan, praised the “outstanding quality” of the product produced, the evident team work which it involved and the “splendid presentation, confidence and knowledge” of the children in relation to their project.

As a Gold Level project, the pupils have now been invited to participate in the Final Exhibition at Sentinus Young Innovators, which take places in June.

Tattygar Primary School teachers, Mrs Kelly and Miss McGarrigle, who worked together on the project, said: “Working with wood was a new experience for the children, one which the children wholeheartedly engaged. To their dedication and credit, they developed their idea into an innovative and profitable business.”

Reacting to the Gold Level award, Miss McGarrigle said: “The children were absolutely delighted, the smile on every child and adult’s face was truly admirable.”

School principal, John Prunty, said it was “fascinating” to see the enthusiasm, educational benefit and cross-curricular approach of the project. “We are delighted to have received this award, an award which is attributed to the commitment and dedication of our children, staff and parents. Congratulations to everyone involved,” Mr Prunty said.

As part of their involvement in the Junior Industry Challenge, the children, together with their teachers, visited two local firms, RTD Crawford Ltd in Lisbellaw and Sheridan and Sons in Enniskillen, to help them become familiar with the workings of a thriving business.

“Words of appreciation to both businesses for accommodating and providing such educational visits,” Miss McGarrigle added.