PUPILS from Knutsford Academy stormed to victory at a Cheshire-wide enterprise challenge on May 15.

Academy students competed against more than 100 pupils from 12 Cheshire schools at the Siemens Make It Challenge, in Congleton.

The day-long competition was designed to give students a taste of modern manufacturing enterprise.

Pupils were tasked with building a manufacturing business and Knutsford Academy pipped all other schools to the post with its ATOM ‘pop up’ food factory.

Stephanie Boyle, Make It campaign coordinator, said: “Manufacturing and engineering are crucial to our economy and it’s essential that we attract the brightest young people to work in the sector.

“At this event, the teenagers gained a true flavour of what it’s like working for a business like Siemens. The creative ideas and commercial know how of the Knutsford students was very impressive.”

On the day, the students completed a series of tasks, each taking on job roles from managing director to operations managers through to finance, sales and marketing managers.

They developed a sales and marketing strategy and then pitched their fully planned ideas in a Dragon Dens-style presentation to Siemens employees.

Judges praised the Knutsford students, all aged 14-15, for their design, management, marketing, sales and finance skills.

Finbarr Dowling, Managing Director at Siemens Congleton, said: “Congratulations to Knutsford Academy, who have shown they have what it takes to succeed in business. This is the fourth consecutive year that we have joined with The Manufacturing Institute to run a Make It event.

“We want to light that flame of enthusiasm for manufacturing and engineering amongst the highly talented and enthusiastic young people in our locality.”

The Knutsford Academy team will now go forward to compete in the national Make It enterprise challenge later this year.