Dragons at Dollar

The annual Dollar Academy Dragon's Den final was held on Friday 8th June, with Form II pupils demonstrating their business strategies to a panel of visiting Dragons.

This competition, run by the school's Business Education Department, involves over 130 Form II pupils who work as teams to develop products and business plans.  As in the popular TV show, they then must pitch their propositions to real life leaders of industry in an attempt to gain the investment necessary to launch their business.  Although no actual funds exchange hands, the role-playing provides a testing scenario which allows these young pupils to put their learning into practice.

This year, eight groups of pupils made it through to the finals.  On Friday they were put through their paces and asked to demonstrate their business acumen by the 'Dragons':  Allison Arkley, a former pupil of Dollar Academy and now training leader for Europe with Apple Inc;  Gregor Lawson, Dollar former pupil and owner and creator of Morphsuits;  Fiona Ritchie, Director The Ochil Soap Company;  and Douglas Wood, owner of Woodwinters Wines and Whiskies.   The event was chaired by the formidable Mr Jim Fulton, Dollar Academy's Head of Physics.

The Dragon's Den final was won by “Spreadsticks” -  a company created by Form II pupils Isla Banerji, Stuart Dalgleish, Lucy Hulbert and Duncan Lennon, who proposed the launch of their patented sandwich spreaders, 'pre-loaded' with either butter, chocolate spread or peanut butter.   

Commenting on the competition, Mrs Margaret Waddell, Business Education teacher at Dollar Academy, said:  "There is a great enthusiasm for business learning amongst our pupils here at Dollar, and it was wonderful to see such entrepreneurial spirit on display at the Dragon's Den final last Friday.    This is a very popular annual competition at the school and a great opportunity for our classes to gain some practical experience.   We are very grateful to our Dragons for offering their time and helping to make this event so enjoyable for all the children who took part."