Boroughmuir High has been crowned champions in the Scottish Young Consumer of the Year competition for the third consecutive year. In a thrilling quiz final held at the Scottish Parliament, Boroughmuir won a convincing victory over their three opposing teams; Linlithgow Academy, Ayr Academy and Dingwall Academy.
In a turbulent economic climate, a range of pertinent issues were covered in the final with the hope of equipping all participants with knowledge of their rights and responsibilities as consumers and to give them essential life skills as they prepare for the world of work and study.
The winning team members were: Douglas Boubert, Imogen Ross, Elspie Horne and Alice MacKenzie.
Team captain, Douglas, said: “It is pretty amazing. A lot of work went in and we have been studying all week and even on the way here so it feels good to have it all rewarded. A lot of the questions were not in the curriculum, so some answers were guessing.”
Dave Thompson MSP for Highlands and Islands, who hosted the event at Parliament, said:
“I was delighted to host the Scottish Young Consumer Final again and was incredibly impressed with the dedication and knowledge of the teams.”
“As a former Director of Trading Standards and now a Vice President of the Trading Standards Institute, it is exciting to see this subject gaining ground in schools. Not only is this a fun event to host and watch, but the benefits to the pupils in understanding modern consumer issues is invaluable.”
Marieke Dwarshuis, Director of Consumer Focus Scotland, the sponsors of the final, said: “All four teams gave a terrific account of themselves, demonstrating great knowledge and understanding of consumer issues in Scotland. We are really pleased to have been able to support such a positive event and wish Boroughmuir the very best in the UK final.”
Boroughmuir will now go on to compete at the UK final in June in Edinburgh with the aim of continuing Scotland’s fantastic record in the UK competition by reclaiming the title – both Boroughmuir and Portobello High have triumphed at three out of the last four UK finals.
Ends
Notes to Editor
- The Young Consumers competition is celebrating its 24th birthday this year and is co-ordinated nationally by the Trading Standards Institute and run regionally by local authorities.
- Teams entering the Young Consumers competition are quizzed on a range of consumer-related topics, such as: Environment & Social Responsibility; Money and Credit; Food and Drink; Keeping Safe, Keeping Healthy; as well as Legal and Consumer matters.
- Young Consumers supports the four capacities of education as highlighted in a Curriculum for Excellence such as: successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors and links well with subjects such as Economics, Modern Studies, Geography, Business Studies, Home Economics and Enterprise, filling a gap in the Scottish timetable covering Consumer Education.
- Consumer Focus Scotland is rooted in over 30 years of work promoting the interests of consumers, particularly those who experience disadvantage in society. We work for consumers in aspects of their lives: as council tenants, householders, patients, parents, solicitors’ clients, public transport users, postal service users, energy consumers and as shoppers.
- Please find attached two photographs of the winning team; the first with Dave Thompson MSP and the second with Marieke Dwarshuis.
Media contact
For further information about the final, please contact Ryan Taylor at Consumer Focus Scotland on 0141 227 1862 or email ryan.taylor@consumerfocus.org.uk