Ballymoney High pupils are innovators of the future

Pupils at Ballymoney High School wowed judges with their creative and business-minded 'InnoTAYTOrs' proposal. InnoTAYTOrs - a unique challenge created by local crisp and snack manufacturer and Young Enterprise Northern Ireland - received entries from 350 schools across Northern Ireland.

The top ten schools were treated to a VIP tour at Tayto Castle, Tandragee, where they also met Mr. Tayto and sampled lots of tasty Tayto crisps and snacks. Pupils were also given the opportunity to ask members of the Hutchinson family, owners of Tayto, about their proposals.

Ballymoney High School teacher Mr Donaghy said:

"Today has been a great experience for the students and they are going away having gained a useful insight into the world of business. They will continue to work hard and continue to develop their idea now."

Pupil Julie Young said:

"We were so shocked to reach the final 10! To get down to the final 10 from 350 entries is amazing, we are really proud of ourselves. Today has been really fun - I loved the tour of the factory!"

Carol Fitzsimons, Chief Executive, Young Enterprise Northern Ireland, said:

"We are committed to helping students to develop their ability to innovate and to improve their business and entrepreneurial skills. By teaming with an iconic brand like Tayto we have been able to give them an insight into how the business world. Feedback from the students is that they've thoroughly enjoyed the business workshops Young Enterprise Northern Ireland hosted. Through InnoTAYTOrs the students have been able to experience first hand the process of putting a business plan together rather than simply reading it from a text book. It's an exciting time for all the finalists and I look forward to the grand final later this year."

Tayto Chief Executive, Paul Allen, said:

"We are delighted that this joint initiative with Young Enterprise Northern Ireland has attracted so many entries from schools and colleges Province-wide. The standard of entries was exceptionally high and I would like to congratulate Ballymoney High School on reaching this stage of the competition. These students have proved themselves to be the entrepreneurs and innovators of the future with their exciting proposals. I'd like to take this opportunity to wish them the very best of luck at the next stage of InnoTaytors Challenge."

For more information on innoTAYTOrs - click on www.innotaytors.com