YEAR 12 students at Okehampton College put their teamwork skills to the test last week, taking part in the ?Building Tomorrow? project. The business day project sponsored by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) gave teams of students a brief to think of new activities and structures for Okehampton Castle Deer Park. Each team made a presentation to the judging panel, which consisted of business partners. Geoff Hallett, of the Devon Education Business Partnership, who presented students with their prizes, said it had been a tough job choosing the winners. ?I was here 12 months ago, and right from the off this year, I could see there had been a step-change in the quality of the work being done. We were privileged to see a very good standard of presentation,? he said. Combined prize for best overall scheme and most innovative design went to the Echo Shack team of Nick Ward, Phil Adams, Dean Beardon, Kyle Matravers, Aaron Robertson, Steve Fenna and Caz Taylor. The best teamwork prize went to the all-girl Stickman Ltd team of Kirsty Siddal, Olivia Courtenay, Rebecca Stratton, Sarah Parnell, Shelley Pavely, Danika Raferty and Meg Valentine. Commendations were also awarded to the DDT team, Seb Stephens, Mark Dennis, Chris Searle, Steven Hill, Tom Bird and Phil Woods. and to Jess Harris for ?stickability?. The college?s business partners were available to give advice and guidance to teams. The business partners were Jim White, project officer for South West Forest; Michael Saunby, Met Office consultant; John Stevens, estate agent; Nils Westman, chartered architect; Ian Courtenay, business services bank manager; Tony Leech, town mayor and surveyor for English Heritage, and Marilyn Tucker, community arts development consultant for Wren Trust. Also helping to judge the schemes were DEBP?s Geoff Hallett, Christine Faulkner from the Institute of Electrical Engineers, and Neil Linden-Johnson, Farraday lecture tour manager. Economic and business studies teacher Graham Slade said the students had worked very hard on the projects over the two days. He said the business day was an example of the close links the college had developed with local business leaders. The college was recently successful in being re-awarded the Investors in Education Business Partnership Award for a further three years. The assessor?s report highly commended the college for the links it had built with its business partners, through impact days, work experience and other events. Five business partners were nominated to receive certificates at a recent ceremony at St Mellion, but the college maintains that it is highly indebted to all 18 of its business partners without whose help the award would not have been possible. The following business partners all received awards: Paul Adams, Manor House Hotel; John Stevens, Bob Gee and Co Team Estate Agents; Tony Board, Waitrose; Ian Courtenay, NatWest Bank PLC and Okehampton Rotary Club. The business partners were presented with their awards from acting principal Daryl Chapman.