Kirkwall Grammar School students have scooped a top title in the final of a UK-wide enterprise programme. 

The team ‘Estrela’  took the Access Award at the Young Enterprise Company Programme final in London on 6 July.

The Access Award, sponsored by FedEx, recognises a student enterprise which shows great innovation, demonstrates an awareness of socio-economic development and of the issues around environmental sustainability, and also has the potential to give the young people access to global markets.

The KGS students  and their company – Estrela –  were representing Scotland and fought off competition from another 13 student companies from all over the UK to take the award.

Estrela member Isla Leslie said:

“Being part of Estrela has provided me with so many opportunities that I would not otherwise have known about. It’s been such a confidence boost.

“At the start of the process, we thought it would just be something our parents and friends would get on board with but the support from the community has been fantastic. It’s shown us we can create something that’s been really successful.”

The Estrela team created a handcrafted remote-controlled, battery-operated cylindrical lamp, inspired by unique Orcadian designs.

The Young Enterprise Company Programme gives S5 and S6 pupils practical experience of running a business by taking them through the steps needed to set up a social enterprise.

The young people involved in the programme decide on a product, devise a business plan, manufacture their product or set up their service, and sell or deliver it to customers.

Estrela made it to the UK final after seeing off competition from 15 other student-led enterprises in the Scottish final.

Estrela, at the Charities Bazaar last year,  explaining to The Orkney News about their product

YES chief executive Geoff Leask said:

“All of the young people involved in Estrela are wonderful ambassadors for Young Enterprise Scotland and their success is very well-deserved.

We were all delighted when they won the FedEx Access Award to take home to Orkney – the first national award we have picked up for a number of years.

“The work carried out by the young people, and their commitment to the Company Programme, is really inspiring.”