DIY retailer Wickes has named students from a Buckinghamshire school as this year’s winners of its national education competition.
Five students from Chesham Grammar School earned the top prize when they won the Year 10 Wickes Challenge, as part of the national careers challenge at London’s Barbican Theatre.
The students – Ana, Libby, Max, Ran and William – developed a concept to produce a wellbeing area at the school, as well as an app to help young people learn how to do DIY. The team’s winning proposal for the challenge was to convert an unused space into a calm, inclusive area to promote wellbeing for students and the local community.
The second part of their project was an AI app called “Wicki,” which helps young people, who lack confidence in DIY, turn their tech skills into practical ones.
It marks the fourth time Year 10 students from Chesham Grammar have won the challenge and the school will receive a product donation of £2,000 from the home improvement retailer’s community programme to help bring their idea to life.
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The national careers challenge is organised annually by the school for students in Years 7 and 10, in partnership with training provider The Inspirational Learning Group.
Wickes Chesham store manager Michael Wilson said: “We’re thrilled to donate products to help them bring this fantastic idea to life and support young people in developing both practical skills and a sense of community.”
And Wickes community engagement manager Hannah Randle Hockin added: “We were incredibly impressed by the creativity and thoughtfulness behind Chesham Grammar School’s winning idea.
“Their vision for a well-being space, combined with the innovative ‘Wicki’ app, truly stood out.”
Last month, Wickes teamed up with Letchworth Garden Shed to launch Pick ‘n’ Wickes, a trial initiative aimed at helping consumers cut costs and reduce waste.
The scheme partners with Letchworth Garden Shed, part of the UK’s growing library of things network, to provide community groups and local charities with everyday Wickes DIY products that aren’t available to borrow.
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