Pupils to take on dragons challenge

AN ASSIGNMENT for Year Six pupils at a Crowborough school will see youngsters spend the next few weeks formulating a new invention.

Local inventor Tony Ellis visited Herne Junior School on Friday to open the new term project, which will finish with a Dragon's Den style competition.

The pupils have been asked to create a new toy, company logo, branding and advertising as well as making a prototype to pitch to a panel of "dragons".

Teacher James Didcott said: "A lot of it has really inspired them and got them involved. Toys are something that they are very close to."

He added: "There are so many things we will be doing as part of the topic."

Mr Ellis is the creator of a wide range of toys designed under the umbrella of his company Conceptioneering.

His products include Cube World, SkipMate and i-coach.

He told the children about his business and how he created the toys that are sold by retailers all over the world.

Mr Ellis will return at the end of term to sit on a panel with a group of teachers to hear the pitches and decide who has won the support of the "dragons".

Mr Didcott said: "It's quite good fun, they are really enjoying it."