Lincolnshire Co-operative Challenge

The Lincolnshire Co-Operative Challenge is a joint competition run by the Lincolnshire Co-operative Society and the Lincolnshire & Rutland Education Business Partnership to promote fairtrade and enterprise within schools. The competition is open to schools in Lincolnshire, North Nottinghamshire and Rutland.

The first and second rounds of the competition take place within the participating schools where finalists are selected to go to the final which takes place at the Jackson Theatre, University of Lincoln. The prizes vary between years and are donated by the competition sponsors which include the Lincolnshire Co-Operative, Starbucks, The Body Shop and from 2007 Marks & Spencer.

Winners

2005 "Friday 10 June"

2008 "Friday 6 June"Unfortunately, in the 2008 Finals, the judges did not actually know what they were judging. Therefore, "Yarborough School, Lincoln" should not have won (many ridiculed the group in the "first" final, and they were once again ridiculed when they were announced the winners of the "final" final). Many thought that Queen Elizabeth's High School should have won, as their presentation of their idea was very professional. Some schools suspected that Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Alford has some kind of "special relationship" with the Co-operative, as this school has come in the top 3 for 3 years running (Their presentation wasn't that good, either).

Overall, many believed that the competition was a fix and many schools said that they would not be returning to the competition next year.

Number of times in the Top 3

"Note: There was no Top 3 in 2005"

External links

* [http://www.sleafordstandard.co.uk/news/Pupils-business-sense-wins-competition.1074621.jp 2005 Co Operative Challenge]
* [http://www.skegnessstandard.co.uk/alford-news/210606-An-39enterprising39-win-for.1578342.jp 2006 Co Operative Challenge]
* [http://www.lrenterprise.org.uk/cooperative.php 2007 Co Operative Challenge]