St Albans district schools have celebrated their success at a cross-Hertfordshire business challenge.

Team Revolution, from Nicholas Breakspear School (NBS), claimed six of the eight awards for the Dragon’s Apprentice Challenge.

Team leader Edward Bailey took home the award for most outstanding, with team operations manager James Pugh saying: “In my opinion there was no one more deserving of this award.

“Edward worked hard to support the team, and his care and passion for the project, and the charity, was evident to the whole team, as well as the judges.”

The awards were presented at a ceremony held at the University of Hertfordshire on Tuesday, April 25.

In total, the team raised £1,879 for their charity, OneSight, which was more than any of the other 11 teams.

They started the challenge with just £100, with which they had to make a £1,000 profit.

To do this, the group ran a series of events, including a cake sale and a disco.

The team have been supported throughout the five-month challenge by their Dragon, Little HR’s Kelly Price,

Ms Price, who won a Dragon’s special recognition award, said: “It was a lot of fun working on the challenge and great to be the Dragon.”

Team Revolution also won the awards for best presentation and best partnership with a charity.

Oaklands College teacher Sara Little took home the teacher partner special recognition award.

She said: “I was very surprised to win the award, and I was very proud of my students on Tuesday evening as they presented their Dragons Apprentice story on the stage.

“The challenge has been a roller coaster journey for all of us, with an amazing ending for the team and the charity.

“It has helped to develop the students’ business knowledge, employability skills and confidence.

“I feel very privileged to have been a part of it.”

Oaklands College principal Zoe Hancock said: “We are thrilled that Sara has been recognised for the impact she has had in mentoring our Oaklands St Albans team in developing these skills for their future careers.”

The Oaklands team, The Entrepreneurs, also saw their Dragon, Amthal Fire and Security commercial director Jamie Allam, pick up a special recognition award.

He said: “The opportunity to be a dragon was a huge honour, and I am thrilled to have been recognised alongside Sara for our part in leading The Entrepreneurs to success.

“The students should be especially proud of their efforts and ability to raise funds and awareness of the important work of their charity, the Samaritans.

“I hope they will take valuable life lessons from the experience, from a business and social responsibility perspective.”

Team Momentum from Sir John Lawes School in Harpenden won the award for most innovative business idea.

For the first time this year, there has also been a Junior Dragon’s Apprentice Challenge.

While teams from Mandeville Primary School and Fleetville Junior School took home awards, the overall winners were the News Warriors from Ss Alban and Stephen Catholic Junior School.

In a statement on their website, the school said: “It was a wonderful evening, the memories of which will live long in the memory.

“The Junior Dragons’ Apprentice Challenge gave a small but hardy group of children from Year 5 the opportunity to develop new skills, an ability to work collaboratively as a team, and the chance to learn about the basic fundamentals of running and sustaining a business plan.”