STUDENTS from Whitburn C of E Academy have been crowned Best Overall Company at the North East Young Enterprise Regional Final.

The final, held at Shotton Hall, celebrated students who have set up and run a company over the academic year as part of Young Enterprise Company Programme, supported nationally by HSBC.

Six teams from the north East competed across nine categories – with a prize for each. The winning team, Heavenly Handmade, from Whitburn C of E Academy, will go on to represent the North East at the UK Company of the Year final in London on July 6 and could potentially represent the UK in the European final.

Young Enterprise is a national charity which works to equip young people with the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to succeed in the changing world of work. This year, students across the country have set up and run more than 1,000 companies over the academic year, making all the decisions about their business, from deciding the company name and product, to creating a business plan, managing their finances and selling their products.

The winning team, Heavenly Handmade, created and sold a range of handmade products with locally sourced recycled materials from ethical companies.

Jack Richardson, a student from the winning team, said: “We are completely overwhelmed at the opportunity we have been given. This programme has enriched our sixth form experience so much, and to represent the North East at the National finals is going to be an absolute honour.”

The judges also awarded The Journey award (Supported by Gateshead College) to be Erin Dix, Whitburn C of E academy; The Disney Creativity Award to ‘In Record Time’ Monkwearmouth Academy; The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award (supported by ITS) to ‘Burgundy Cases’ Trinity Catholic College; The Social, Ethical & Environmental Award (supported by Darlington Building Society) to ‘Heavenly Handmade’ Whitburn C of E Academy; The Financial Management award (supported by Business Durham) to ‘Canny Crafty’ Kenton School Sixth Form; The Communication and Teamwork award (supported by Womble Bond Dickinson) to ‘Yours Personalised’ Trinity Catholic College; The Marketing, Sales and Customer Focus award (Supported by MI Supplies) to ‘The Cosey Candle Co’ Newcastle Royal Grammar School; The Presentation Award (Supported by County Durham Housing Group) to ‘Heavenly Handmade’ Whitburn C of E Academy.

The schools competing in the North East Young Enterprise Company Programme Final were:

Canny Crafty from Kenton School 6th Form, Newcastle;

In Record Time from Monkwearmouth Academy, Sunderland;

Burgundy Cases from Trinity Catholic College, Middlesbrough;

Yours Personalised from Trinity Catholic College, Middlesbrough;

The Cosey Candle Co from Newcastle Royal Grammar School;

Heavenly Handmade from Whitburn C of E Academy.