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Industry Day 2021

25 Jun 2021

SIXTH form entrepreneurs struck a chord with judges after planning a music festival in just a morning.

Barney’s annual industry day sees sixth formers split into teams before receiving their planning brief, which this year surrounded the music industry.

Taking a Dominic Cummings theme to their marketing, Upper Sixth students had their sights set on success when they pitched their ideas for a musical extravaganza for 2,000 people.

Organised for the 10th year running by economics and business studies teachers Mr Connor and Mr Bishop, the event is designed to encourage entrepreneurial zeal and business acumen giving students a taste of working on an industry project.

“We try to make it as real as possible with industry mentors and a panel of experts feeding back on their creative ideas,” Mr Connor said. “It is not easy and they are under a lot of pressure time-wise. They come away having learned a great deal about working in a team and some are inspired to go on to take business degrees.”

Students were mentored by musician Andy Yeadon, family activity co-ordinator at Barnard Castle’s TCR Hub Sarah Gent, marketing and communications manager of Roman Showers Sophie Stanwick and former Sage operations manager and festival organiser Esme Flounders.

In previous years, the event has attracted interest from and involved mentors from other prestigious companies, including Penny Petroleum, Nissan and the Invictus Games.

The students worked on all aspects of organising a music festival including booking bands and artistes, planning security and toilet provision, organising lighting and staging, making TV and radio adverts, creating a social media campaign and working out profits and costs. They also developed the concept of festival showers and phone charging stations.

They then pitched their ideas Apprentice-style to a panel of industry experts including the managing director of Newton Aycliffe-based Roman Showers David Osborne, festival organiser Jon Connor and celebrated saxophonist Mick Donnelly.

The judges praised the students for their ideas, organisation and execution, all performed in a short space of time.

Well done to everyone for their efforts over the course of the day.