Dover Court Students Win Nord Anglia Entrepreneurs’ Challenge

Dover Court International School (DCIS) students have been recognised on a global stage after winning the Overall Competition Award and Most Creative Product Award in the inaugural Nord Anglia Education (NAE) Entrepreneurs’ Challenge, delivered through the NAE Global Campus.

Running from November 2025 to April 2026, the challenge brought together students from ten Nord Anglia schools across China, Singapore, Jordan, Hungary, Peru, the United States and India. The programme invited students to think like real-world entrepreneurs – designing a commercially viable product linked to one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

A truly global learning experience

Representing Dover Court, Year 10 Business students Nan Fang, Steffi and Tiffany collaborated with peers from NAS Jiaxing in China, forming a cross-cultural team working across time zones and platforms.

Through regular video calls, shared documents and independent planning, the students collaborated across time zones – developing critical skills in communication, teamwork and global awareness. While differences in schedules and communication tools initially presented challenges, the team responded with determination – often meeting outside school hours to ensure their project progressed successfully.

Creating a product that blends learning, creativity and impact

The team developed Calcu-aid, an engaging online maths learning platform designed for upper primary students.

Combining gamified learning with social purpose, the platform includes:

• Interactive, free-to-play maths games
• A reward system where students build their own virtual school
• A social impact model, where advertising revenue supports education charities in India

The concept stood out for its balance of creativity, accessibility and commercial awareness, as well as its clear focus on delivering a meaningful social impact. Its strong visual identity, engaging user journey and thoughtful features, such as consideration for parental involvement, demonstrated a high level of maturity in both design and intent.

From idea to execution

The Entrepreneurs’ Challenge guided students through every stage of building a business, including:

• Developing initial ideas and identifying real-world problems
• Conducting SWOT analysis and building business plans
• Designing marketing strategies and refining their brand
• Creating a prototype and delivering a final pitch

Throughout the process, students worked with increasing independence – testing ideas, refining their thinking and learning how to turn ambitious concepts into practical, achievable solutions.

Recognition and real-world learning

As overall winners, the team were awarded a Business Masterclass with entrepreneur Claire Young, founder of School Speakers and a respected voice in enterprise education. During the online masterclass, she shared practical insights into business development, communication and entrepreneurship – further enriching the students’ experience beyond the competition itself.

A proud achievement for the DCIS community

Reflecting on the journey, Mr Jason Lunn, Teacher of Business and Computing at Dover Court, highlighted both the students’ growth and the significance of the experience:

“This achievement reflects the dedication, maturity and professionalism that the students and their peers in Jiaxing have demonstrated throughout the project. From their very first discussions, they approached every challenge with enthusiasm, curiosity and a willingness to learn from one another.

One of the most valuable lessons from experiences like this is that meaningful change often begins with small, well-considered ideas rather than grand solutions. It has been a genuine pleasure to support their journey and watch their confidence, communication skills and entrepreneurial thinking develop over time.

The standard of work submitted by students across all participating Nord Anglia schools was exceptionally high, which makes this recognition even more significant. I am incredibly proud of what this team has achieved, and of the positive, socially conscious mindset they have brought to the challenge.”

Student reflection: learning that goes beyond the classroom

Nan Fang, the Calcu-aid team leader, shared a powerful reflection on the experience:

“In our first presentation, we stated that Calcu-Aid's values were inclusivity, creativity and resilience. I could not have had a team that embodied these values more. We focused on inclusivity, using our different perspectives to build a product that would be beneficial and accessible for children everywhere. Our creativity helped us stand out in both our unique brand image and our engaging elevator pitch. And lastly, Calcu-Aid’s team showed remarkable, consistent effort in this project despite increasing workloads and other extracurriculars, representing resilience brilliantly.

We conquered many problems along the way, such as various communication problems. It has not been easy to maintain constant contact with the other school, but I am so proud of my teammates for actively reaching out, voicing new ideas and always offering support.

What this challenge has taught me the most is about commitment. Although we initially struggled to find an idea that was both impactful and realistic, what mattered most was sticking to our idea and executing it the best we can. I am so grateful for having had this opportunity, and the lessons we learnt will undoubtedly stick with us forever.”

Preparing students to shape the future

This achievement highlights how DCIS empowers students to collaborate internationally, think creatively and apply their learning to real-world challenges.

Opportunities like the Nord Anglia Entrepreneurs’ Challenge ensure students are not only academically prepared but also equipped with the confidence, compassion, and entrepreneurial mindset to make a positive difference in the world. Congratulations to our students!