UPCYCLED beads and donated fishing wire have helped a team of Knox Academy pupils win a top prize.

The team behind Beachy Beads founded their business in September last year through a Young Enterprise initiative.

Now, they have won the Young Enterprise Lothian Social Impact Award at a ceremony in Edinburgh.

The team – S6 pupils Isla Farquhar, Lucy Ingle, Isla Kilkenny, Libby Merritt, Sophie Thomson, Estelle West and Iona Whellans – were delighted by the success.

A spokesperson for the group, who have sold their creations at various school events and a Christmas market in Edinburgh, said: “Throughout the process, we learned about running a real business and gained a variety of skills which contributed to our ability to synthesise as a team.

“We decided to found our company around eco-friendly materials, as after initial research we found that consumers value sustainability.

“We did this by making and selling bracelets which are made with upcycled beads and donated fishing wire.

“We sold our products at various school events, the Young Enterprise Christmas market at the Gyle, and Beech & Birch [in Gifford]. We attended the Young Enterprise Lothian awards ceremony at Edinburgh Napier University, presenting our business to the other teams and sharing our experience with the judges.”

The spokesperson described standing in front of more than 100 people during the event as “nerve-wracking” but “a great experience”.

They added: “On this night we received the 2023 Social Impact Award due to our contribution to the local community by selling in a local gift shop, as well as our drive to be environmentally friendly.

“This experience has made us grow as a group and boost our confidence in public speaking, in addition to expanding our knowledge of entrepreneurship, negotiation and making decisions to achieve the aims of running a successful and profitable business.”

Dot Ferguson, Knox Academy’s teacher of business education, congratulated the victorious team.

She said: “Young Enterprise is always a challenge for pupils to see it through right to the end, but Beachy Beads have shown commitment and determination.

“From day one, before they even decided on their actual product, they focussed on making a sustainable product, so I was delighted when they were recognised for this element by the Young Enterprise board.

“The team have been a pleasure to be involved with as they developed their negotiation and organisational skills as well as dealing with problems they faced in their enterprise.

“Knox is proud to offer the Young Enterprise programme to our S6 pupils and I personally remain in awe of the efforts our young people make, their creativity, and of course we are very proud of their success.”