CHEPSTOW School launched its Dragons' Den competition last Thursday (22nd January) after a successful inaugural event last year.

The project is run by Chepstow School and the cluster primaries with teams entered by St Mary's, The Dell, Thornwell, Pembroke and Shirenewton primary schools. The five teams are made up from Year 6 pupils at each of the cluster schools, working together with Year 7 and Year 12 students from Chepstow School.

Based on the popular BBC TV series, the project helps develop a number of skills in the participants. Team members are given specialist roles and responsibilities to improve personal and thinking skills.

This year's focus is to engage students in their local community and encourage them to recognise how they may be able to create change and manage their environment.

Students will come up with innovative ideas of what they think Chepstow needs after identifying gaps in provision or opportunities. They will then work on solutions and strategies on how they can make these ideas happen.

During the next few months the teams will meet several times to develop their ideas and plans before the competition culminates in a Dragons Den evening where they will pitch their ideas to local businesses and members of the town council.

Jamie Goddard, assistant head teacher, said: "It's a very exciting and unique project driven by the students, you will be amazed of their ideas and plans."