Business Focus Day

Leeds East Academy students joined the First Direct team at the SHINE centre, Harehills to engage in a Business Focus Day. Two teams were pitted against one another to design a pitch on behalf of a major city to host a Global Games sporting event.

Throughout the day students took on a series of challenges which included debates, submitting funding applications, presenting to potential sponsors and gruelling interview panels, who could both reward and fine a team for its efforts.

Jason Charles, Academy Governor, who joined the students said: "This was an excellent opportunity for students to work with a range of professionals and explore different roles and careers as part of a team."

Olivia McMurray from the Into University who organised the event added: "What a fantastic day all of the First Direct volunteers had at the Business in FOCUS event. All of the volunteers commented on how focused the Academy's students were throughout the day, and all got involved in some way or another. All of the First Direct volunteers saw some great potential in the students in the business world. They provided us with some lovely feedback from the event in their evaluation forms. Special mentions go to Reece for taking on a lead role in his team, Shauna-Leigh for being such a great sport in her team's performance in the end and Daniel for being so entertaining."