Students Pitch Inclusive Airport App Idea at Heathrow
Students from Orchard Hill College recently took part in the Dragon SEND Entrepreneurship Challenge, using their creativity and problem-solving skills to help make Heathrow Airport more inclusive for people with disabilities.
The challenge brought together learners from across West London to develop ideas that could improve the travel experience for passengers with additional needs and hidden disabilities.
Working as a team, students created an innovative app concept designed to tackle some of the common barriers people face when travelling through an airport. Their idea focused on making journeys smoother, less stressful and easier to navigate from arrival through to departure.
Last Friday, students had the opportunity to present their idea to senior leaders from Heathrow Airport, alongside representatives from the local council and the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower organisation.
The presentation gave learners a valuable chance to share their thinking with real decision-makers, while building confidence, communication skills and experience of pitching in a professional environment.
Staff were incredibly proud of how students represented the college, speaking with confidence and showing a clear understanding of how inclusive design can make a real difference.
To top it off, the team was recognised for their outstanding work, winning both the Big Thinker Award and being named overall winners of the Dragon SEND Entrepreneurship Challenge. It’s a fantastic achievement and a clear reflection of the creativity, insight and real-world thinking the students brought to the project.
This project is a strong example of how our learners are developing employability skills, teamwork and entrepreneurial thinking, while helping shape a more inclusive future.
