Dragon's Den comes to Redlands

Our focus this week has been on explanation texts. We were given a weird invention (such as electric jewellery or a Bed Piano) and had to explain how and why it worked.

This morning we put our explanations to the ultimate test. Intrepid entrepreneurs from Year 5/6 pitched to 4 fearsome dragons (Mr Harcombe, Mrs Bowie, Miss Cull and Miss Rogers) in order to gain investment for their weird inventions. We even had the theme music playing as the children walked up the stairs to the den.

Some were more successful than others but it was a brilliant experience all round. Here are some photos and thoughts from the children.

Slowly walking up the stairs, we hear the music going. Feeling nervous, prickles gradually climb up our backs. What are we doing? One step into the room, and there’s no going back! The dragons stare at us like ferocious bears and we’re two pieces of stake. The butterflies turn in our stomach as we spurt out our lines. Will they like it we wonder?

“Is there any questions?” we ask. Oh dear, there goes the pudding!

“What percentage of the business will you give us?” they say. There is a break of silence… We offer them 25% of our company, but they reject easily. There goes 45% of our company, but they want 50%, that just went too far. The cheek of 50%, how dare they!! We wonder if there would any more mad questions which they will try and smear on us. Our brains turn into a maze, there’s no way out!

We hear laughter and then see a sudden smirk one dragon making a fool of us! Nothing was funny, we were trying hard. First dragon… turns us down, second, third, fourth, we’re out!!

Safffon and Beth

Dragons Den

We crept up the stairs to hear the tune of Dragons’ Den. We opened the door to pure awkwardness, then I spoke, “Our product is the bed piano!” Mr Harcombe looked intrigued.

My partner, Annie, said her bit, I said mine, and then the presentation was over. There was lots of questioning asking, “How many will we make in a year?” I thought of £50,000 at first, then I thought, THAT’S TOO MUCH! So I backed down to £10,000, which was still too much, but I said that anyway, Annie looked at me with shock, I wonder what she was thinking but, Mr Harcombe looked at me like I was an fool, (which I was). He whipped out his calculator then said “£285” I was speechless, I knew it wasn’t EXACTLY £10,000, but £285

Most of the awkward questions stopped, that’s when they came to a conclusion…

Mr Harcombe,”Great idea! But you never thought it through, therefore, I’m out”

Mrs Bowie “I love the idea, Therefore, I’m going to make you an offer, £100,000 for the first year, 60% of the company.”

I talked to Annie and we both realized, “60% is a lot, BUT I’LL TAKE ANYTHING!” So we said yes to her offer. We both smiled vigorously.

Miss Cull “Love the idea, but same as Mr Harcombe, I’m out.”

Mrs Rogers “Same as Miss Cull, I’m out.”

We felt like jumping up and down in excitement, but instead, we just kept our cool.

By Sam and Annie

Dragons Den

When we found out we were going through, we were so nervous with excitement. As we walked up the stairs we were trembling with fear. Calmly, we knocked on the door KNOCK-KNOCK – we stepped in. Tristan fumbled for the page in the book. Our mouths were forced to open – a childish squeak came out. The four dragons gave us an eerie look, we knew that one wrong move and we could be OUT! We carefully explained our invention without a single mistake – our hands were shaking. After that it was time for the offers.  Mr Harcombe glared at us – “I shall give you 30K,” he said “If you stick to your other designs”. Tristan and I considered this offer. “I ask for 60% and I will give you 40K,” challenged Miss Cull. The other two dragons decided they were out because we had two great dragons to choose from. As Tristan and I quickly whispered we eventually became upon the idea of Mr Harcombe gave us the best offer. Joyfully we skipped out of the room our hearts beating with sudden happiness. We jumped into the classroom. “We are IN” we yelled. Loud applauses finished this nerve-racking experience! 

-Fran +Tristan