Launch of OCA Innovation and Collaboration Award 2021

We are delighted to announce the launch of the third OCA Innovation and Collaboration Award. This competition is an incredible example of the innovative, creative and entrepreneurial spirit of the Caterham School community. All finalists for the previous two years have designed thoughtful, engaging products or solutions which, if developed further, could have a genuine and significant impact on the audience for who they were designed. The winners have been truly inspired in their ideas and presented them with clarity and passion. We’re hoping for more of the same this year! 

The award will go to the team who designs the most exciting and developed idea, decided upon by a panel of judges in an evening event towards the end of the year. The winners receive a £1000 prize and the offer of mentoring from the Old Caterhamians Association which can be used to develop and further their work.  

The award is open to anyone in the school, but you must be working with at least one other person to enter a submission. The proposal needs to demonstrate innovation – this can be in any field of interest but must be something new – it may be a piece of music, art, literature, technology, business proposal or anything else you can think of.  

It may not be possible to create a prototype or finished version of your idea without further input or support and this is fine, but at the very least you should be able to demonstrate ‘proof of concept’ which means you have researched your market, costing, placement and how and who you might wish to work with to deliver your product or idea to a wider audience, all of which you should be able to demonstrate in some way. 

The Covid-19 pandemic has been challenging for many individuals and families, but time and time again the Caterham School community has shown its creativity and resilience in facing the challenges it has presented. I am hopeful that some of you will choose to channel that spirit into an entry for the OCA Innovation and Collaboration Award. 

Next steps: 

1. 1. Consider potential ideas to explore 

1. 2. Find a collaborator or team to work with 

1. 3. At this point it would be worth discussing the idea with me 

1. 4. Prepare a proposal – you may include a PowerPoint, written notes or any other content, including a prototype, but you must submit a 30 second video pitching the basics of your idea. 

1. 5. Submit your proposal by Monday 7 June 2021 

1. 6. Finalists will present to a panel in June 2021 

We are very much looking forward to seeing the fantastic ideas our pupils come up with. 

Mr Webster 

Deputy Head (Innovation)