Thrive and Shine: Corby Business Academy

In 2024/ 2025, team Thrive & Shine, from Corby Business Academy, took part in Young Enterprise’s Team Programme, with the hope it would improve their confidence and develop their enterprise skills.

The Team Programme is an enterprise journey for SEND students designed to aid transition from education into adulthood, developing independent living and employability skills. It is tailored to benefit young people with mild to moderate learning difficulties, equipping them to develop key life skills and confidence, whilst learning how to run an enterprise collaboratively.

The students decided to make a range of reusable products such as personalised water bottles, tote bags and pouches. All of these showed positive statements to promote well-being and a positive outlook on life. Their bags and pouches were made from natural fibres, their badges from a sustainable material from corn starch, and their cold drink cups from BPA free food grade plastic – this was all in line with their aim to be sustainable.

Their strapline 'Be Happy, Be Bright, Be You' touched the majority of their customers and judges! They won the Inspire Award for their creativity, teamwork, and entrepreneurial spirit. The judges commented:

“Brilliant products & an engaging presentation. It was clear to see the thought which had gone into the product and running the business, and we particularly liked how each team member's contribution was recognised, as well as reflecting on the skills they had developed.”

RS Components supported the programme by providing volunteer business advisers, Bonne Dunion and Donna Constable, who worked closely with the students. They shared their professional experience to help guide the students’ decision-making, which the students found extremely valuable.

“Team Programme encouraged collaboration beyond usual friendship groups. Allowing students to choose tasks aligned with their interests boosted their self-esteem and motivation - it made them braver!”

Lewis and Drew in the team both said that they felt that their confidence had grown and that they now believed in their sales skills, while Jenny and Lois were excited that they had developed new IT skills and a knowledge of how to use a printing press to create their personalised products. Lois is using her new skills with her own successful soap business and Jacob is now considering going into business.

Thrive & Shine competed with teams of young people across England and Wales being interviewed by a panel of judges and delivering a presentation via video to the guests at the showcase. They not only won ‘Runner Up’ for Team Programme Best Advert, but they also won first place in the Team Programme ‘Best Presentation’.

In addition, this team held their own when they attended the Company of the Year Final in Manchester in June 2025. This was for all of the top Company Programme teams that had won their regional awards plus seven schools who had won our Inspire Award (and award for the top schools that took part in the most disadvantaged areas) Thrive and Shine won the Inspire award for the Midlands. To get to the finals, the team were competing against mainstream schools, which was a fantastic achievement.