Enterprise Challenge Day
Thursday 26 March | 09:30 – 14:00 | University of Plymouth
Join us on campus for an inspiring outreach day that combines a fast-paced, Apprentice-style enterprise challenge for students with a dedicated CPD programme for teachers.
This event is designed to raise aspirations, build subject interest and strengthen connections between schools/colleges across the South West and Plymouth Business School.
Who is it for?
- Students: Year 10–13 (team-based enterprise challenge, up to 30 students per school)
- Teachers: Accompanying staff (parallel CPD programme, networking and partnership discussions)
Enterprise Challenge – Design a Mental Health Support App
Student teams will turn a wellbeing-focused idea into a viable app concept. The emphasis is on everyday wellbeing support (for example mindfulness, meditation, creativity, organisation, stress management and positive habits).
Students do not need clinical or in-depth mental health knowledge – the task is about creating supportive, accessible tools that promote good wellbeing.
The day culminates in student pitches judged by a panel of experts.
What students will learn
Students will develop skills and confidence in:
- real-world business thinking and decision-making
- teamwork, creativity, and problem solving
- branding and product development
- pricing, trading and basic financial concepts
- pitching and presentation skills.
Teacher CPD programme
While students complete the enterprise challenge, teachers will take part in a dedicated CPD strand (content subject to final confirmation by Plymouth Business School), designed to support professional development and strengthen partnerships.
Teachers can expect:
- welcome and introduction from Plymouth Business School leadership
- an industry keynote session
- specialist roundtable discussions around aspiration raising, skills needs and employability
- networking with Plymouth Business School academics and partners
- opportunity to observe student pitches and prize giving.
Timed programme
Enterprise Challenge (Years 10–13)
Time | Activity
09:30 – 10:00 | Arrival and registration
10:00 – 10:10 | Opening plenary: Introduction to the challenge brief
10:10 – 10:45 | Workshop 1: PESTLE analysis (applied to the app concept)
10:45 – 11:25 | Workshop 2: Product development and branding
11:25 – 12:10 | Workshop 3: Pricing, trading and basic financials
12:10 – 13:10 | Lunch and optional campus tour
13:10 – 13:50 | Final pitches and prize giving (panel of experts)
13:50 – 14:00 | Wrap up and departures
09:30 – 10:00 | Arrival and registration
10:00 – 10:10 | Opening plenary: Introduction to the challenge brief
10:10 – 10:45 | Workshop 1: PESTLE analysis (applied to the app concept)
10:45 – 11:25 | Workshop 2: Product development and branding
11:25 – 12:10 | Workshop 3: Pricing, trading and basic financials
12:10 – 13:10 | Lunch and optional campus tour
13:10 – 13:50 | Final pitches and prize giving (panel of experts)
13:50 – 14:00 | Wrap up and departures
Teacher CPD programme (accompanying staff)
Time | Activity
10:00 – 10:20 | Welcome to Plymouth Business School
10:20 – 11:00 | Industry keynote
11:00 – 11:50 | Specialist roundtable: working in partnership to raise aspirations and meet skills needs
11:50 – 12:30 | Networking lunch with Plymouth Business School academics
12:30 – 13:10 | Continued roundtable discussions
13:10 – 14:00 | Join final pitches and prize ceremony
10:00 – 10:20 | Welcome to Plymouth Business School
10:20 – 11:00 | Industry keynote
11:00 – 11:50 | Specialist roundtable: working in partnership to raise aspirations and meet skills needs
11:50 – 12:30 | Networking lunch with Plymouth Business School academics
12:30 – 13:10 | Continued roundtable discussions
13:10 – 14:00 | Join final pitches and prize ceremony
Event details
- Location: University of Plymouth (on campus)
- Dates: Thursday 26 March 2026
- Capacity: up to 30 students per school
Places are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Email outreach@plymouth.ac.uk to book your place and find out more
We look forward to a day of innovation with you!
Gatsby Benchmarks – 7