Enterprising pupils to contest national final

by Chris Price

A NATIONAL final for young business people beckons for a group of students from Dover Grammar School for Boys.

Green issues firm The Green Footprint Group (GFG) was founded in January this year by seven students from the business and enterprise specialist school.

They won the South East Regional Finals of the 2008 Young Enterprise Company Programme in Horsham in West Sussex on Thursday.

The success puts them in the National Young Enterprise Fined to be held at the Park Lane Hotel in London on July 14 to 16.

Director of Business and Enterprise at the school Dave Howarth said: “They are passionate, committed and determined.

“Our students have raised their performance once again and have achieved a fantastic result.

“Their enthusiasm for this business is amazing and the success is a true reflection of everything that is great about the Young Enterprise completion.”

The business has grown rapidly mainly thanks to a scheme allowing local businesses to sponsor a local school £50 in order to receive GFG support.

Nine GFG schools have been established this way all receiving a free Eco Roadshow, lesson resources, a tailored information pack and a one-to-one eco support meeting to educate pupils about the planet.

They have also designed and sold 1,102 environmentally friendly cotton carrier bags which nine local retailers are now stocking and selling.

The team consists of Managing Director Jack Williams of Charlton and his staff of Katy Tipping of Ash, Izaak Wilson of Charlton, Jethro Thompson of Walmer, Sam Douglas of Elms Vale and Ben Hindle of Temple Ewell.