A shoe design has bagged a group of students a place in the final of a European entrepreneur contest.

Ilford Recorder: Saurav Patel, 17, Cheridan Thompson, 16, Adam Patel, 16, Mica Mehta, 17, and Hasam Hoque, 16, with Chris Portnoi, who teaches economics and businessSaurav Patel, 17, Cheridan Thompson, 16, Adam Patel, 16, Mica Mehta, 17, and Hasam Hoque, 16, with Chris Portnoi, who teaches economics and business (Image: Archant)

Year 12 students Adam Patel, Mica Mehta, Saurav Patel, Cheridan Thompson and Hasan Hoque, who study at Valentines High School, in Cranbrook Road, Gants Hill, will compete to win the European Business Games.

The pupils gained their spot by winning the English finals.

They impressed the judges with their idea for a company called Detach-a-heels, which would produce shoes with foldaway heels.

Chris Portnoi, an economics and business teacher at the school, said: “The team had to give a presentation to a panel of three judges, all from the business world.

“They then faced some difficult questions about their product and their company, but, supported by their teacher Miss [Jessica] Lee, they proved more than up to the task.”

The students will travel to Italy at the end of this month in the hopes of bringing home the overall prize.

Mr Portnoi added: “The competition is an exciting opportunity for students to present a sophisticated business plan to an international audience.

“The students have done fantastically well in winning the national competition and I am very proud to say that they are looking forward to representing England in the Europe-wide event.

“We wish them the best of luck.”

The contest allows pupils to gain an insight into the skills and qualities entrepreneurs have and also gives them the opportunity to establish links with European schools, meet people from the world of business and learn how companies work.