The 2025/26 Dragons’ Apprentice Challenge, an inspiring annual initiative organised by Community Action Dacorum, has officially concluded its 13th year with a spectacular awards ceremony held on Monday evening at The University of Hertfordshire.

This year’s cohort of talented Year 12 students raised an impressive total of £28,943.20 for local charities, starting with initial seed funding of just £100 per team. The programme saw 17 teams from schools and colleges across Hertfordshire step into the world of entrepreneurship, tasked with growing their investment while supporting causes close to their communities.

Overall Winners Crowned

The coveted title of Dragons’ Apprentice Champion was awarded to Team Genesis from John F Kennedy School. Supporting Sunnyside Rural Trust, the team demonstrated exceptional creativity, determination, and business acumen throughout the challenge, earning them a celebratory snow session kindly donated by The Snow Centre.

Georgia Gain from Sunnyside Rural Trust said “I loved working with the team from JFK. Their professionalism, passion, and dedication were truly remarkable. They took the time to understand our charity, and it was evident that they genuinely cared about our cause! The funds raised will enable us to completely update the signage across our four sites, with a little extra for other exciting projects. I cannot express my gratitude enough.”

The awards were presented by Dr John Howie, Deputy Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, who praised the students’ achievements:

“I’d like to congratulate all the teams that took part in this year’s Dragons’ Apprentice Challenge and particularly the overall winners, Team Genesis from John F Kennedy School. I was very impressed with all the students’ displays and enjoyed learning about the challenges they faced. Their teamwork, communication, and perseverance shone through.”

This year’s panel of “SuperDragons,” made up of leaders from business, education, and local government, also commended the participants for their innovation, professionalism, and commitment to their chosen charities.

Full List of Award Winners

• Highest Profit Award: Team Tring from Tring School, supported by Profit Impact, and raising funds for their charity Dacorum Mencap (prize donated by Little Hay Golf Complex, Bovingdon)
• Best Business Plan: Team Genesis from John F Kennedy School, supported by The Gym Group and raising funds for their charity Sunnyside Rural Trust
• Most Innovative Idea: Team Play4OLLIE from Sir John Lawes School, raising funds for their charity OLLIE Foundation (prize donated by Mulligans, Hemel Hempstead)
• Best Marketing Campaign: Team Flow for Good from Laureate Academy, supported by Cardo Grup and raising funds for their charity Waterways Experiences
• Best Partnership with Charity: Team Dens Diamonds from Hemel Hempstead School, supported by Bloom with BB and raising funds for their charity DENS (prize donated by XC, Hemel Hempstead)
• Best Display: Team Radio Active from Longdean School, supported by Creative Stripes and raising funds for their charity Radio Dacorum, CAD
• Best Presentation: Team Adeyfield Dragons from Adeyfield School, supported by Raj Athwal-Brown and raising funds for their charity Dacorum Heritage Trust
• Leadership Award:  Ellena Curtain from Dens Diamonds and Oliver Clarke from Royal Recruits
• Greatest Social Impact:  Team Interstellar from John F Kennedy School, supported by Dacorum Borough Council and raising funds for their charity Heather Club
• Resilience Award:  Team Flow for Good from Laureate Academy, supported by Cardo Group and raising funds for their charity Waterways Experiences

Real-World Impact

Running from September through March, the Dragons’ Apprentice Challenge equips students with vital skills in entrepreneurship, teamwork, leadership, and resilience. Beyond fundraising, participants gain hands-on experience that prepares them for future careers while building meaningful connections with local charities.

Former participant Jack Keen reflected on his experience:
“The Dragons’ Apprentice Challenge was an incredible opportunity… it helped me develop essential skills that will benefit me throughout my career… Overall, it was one of the best experiences I had at secondary school.”

Teachers also praised the programme’s impact. James Essex of Hemel Hempstead School said:
“This year’s programme has been bigger and better than ever… students gain real-world business experience whilst developing key personal skills such as leadership, planning, teamwork and resilience—all while raising significant funds for excellent local charities.”

A Community Effort

The challenge continues to thrive thanks to the support of local businesses, whose representatives act as mentors—known as “Dragons”—guiding teams throughout the programme. The initiative is part of Connect, a partnership dedicated to strengthening links between businesses, schools, and charities to promote social responsibility and community engagement.

Participating schools this year included Adeyfield School, Hemel Hempstead School, John F Kennedy School, Katherine Warington School, Laureate Academy, Longdean School, Oaklands College, Sir John Lawes School, and Tring School.

The Dragons were from Creative Stripes, Cardo Group, Raj Athwal-Browne, Dacorum Borough Council, Bloom with BB, JHP Electrical, Kate Cohen, The Gym Group, Blue Deck Shoe, Midnight Blue Marketing, Hour Hands, HD HR, Affinity Water, Morpheus Group, SLS Marketing, Profit Impact and Hybrid Software Helix Ltd. Participating Charities/Community Groups included: Community Action Dacorum, Gaddesden Riding for the Disabled, Waterways Experiences, Herts Young Homeless, Dacorum Mencap, Hospice of St Francis, Pepper Foundation, Dacorum Heritage Trust, DENS, Communities 1^st, The OLLIE Foundation, Blue Tangerine Federation, Heather Club, Sunnyside Rural Trust, Rennie Grove Peace Hospice, Watford FC Trust, Herts Mind Network.

For more information or to get involved in the 2026/27 Dragons’ Apprentice Challenge, please contact Cindy Withey at cindy@communityactiondacorum.org.uk.