ENTREPRENEURIAL pupils from a Wem school have reached the final of a national competition by highlighting a little-known form of abuse.

A team of Sixth Form students from Thomas Adams School recently took part in 'Drapers’ Den' – a Dragons’ Den style business competition run by The Drapers’ Company.

The team, which included Holly Eccleston, Oliver Cooper, Will Evans, Ryan Greaves, Charlie Taylor and Maya Balachandran, was partnered with a mentor from the company and another from the Guild of Entrepreneurs and tasked with designing a product or service which could be commercially successful and would generate a material social benefit, before pitching for up to £500,000 from a team of investors.

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Business Studies teacher Amy Glover said the team recognised the rise of domestic violence during lockdown, and wanted to highlight child to parent abuse in particular.

“The team wanted to help raise awareness of this issue and offer an idea to help create a support network for parents," said Amy.

“They developed a hidden app which would help victims to network with others, as well as providing tips on how to de-escalate situations and document events.”

The judges were particularly delighted with the team’s presentation and their logo, which one judge said was the best they had ever seen – including within actual current businesses.

After impressing the judges and winning their semi-final, the team was given £1,000 to donate to a charity of their choice.

Because of the link to their app, they chose PEGS – a Shropshire charity which raises awareness of child to parent abuse, supports families experiencing it, and trains professionals who come into contact with those families.

PEGS founding director Michelle John said the was grateful for the work of the pupils.

“We are extremely grateful to the Thomas Adams team for their generous donation, and we’re also hugely impressed they chose to design a service specifically for parents experiencing CPA," she said,

“We have lots of work to do to ensure CPA is highlighted, as it’s current quite a hidden form of domestic abuse, but it’s heartening to know we have incredible young people helping to raise awareness.

“Well done to you all, and we can’t wait to hear how you get on in the final.”

The team will now take part in the grand final to be held in May.