Southborough High School shone at this year's Young Enterprise south London finals with their inspired 'fidget ring' product designed to help students look after their mental health.

The annual competition hosted by Young Enterprise, the national charity encouraging innovation and creation amongst students, invited schools from across the country to participate by pitching a unique product yet to be met on the consumer market.

Southborough's sixth form team made up of volunteers entered the competition with their company, Oryx.

After successfully progressing from the Richmond and Kingston finals alongside Tiffin Girl's School, pipping nine competitors along the way, Southborough headed to the Sussex Innovation centre for the south London finals.

Oryx offers a range of fidget rings with the unisex product designed to help students tackle every day stresses and anxiety that can build during term time.

The subtle nature of the product differentiated itself from existing alternatives such as stress balls or fidget spinners, with its simplistic design allowing students to feel reassured the product could be used discreetly in class without drawing attention.

The three-judge panel were particularly impressed with the innovative approach Oryx took to promoting their brand, including setting up a stall at Kingston traders' market, and offering students the chance to create their own fidget rings during after school workshops.

An after school Oryx workshop in action.

Despite failing to reach the London and Essex finals, Oryx were awarded the coveted 'Best Presentation' award, testament to an impressive pitch articulately informing judges of why their product was meeting a consumer demand and its environmentally friendly nature.  

Team members pointed to the mental health struggles students had experienced during the lockdowns enforced by the pandemic, and how the transition back to school came with its fears such as sitting official exams for the first time after missing out on their GCSE's, with grades determined by teacher assessments and coursework.

Oryx highlighted how it was important their product was 100% sustainable and achieved it through their choice of pewter as the ring's material.

As they were perfecting the shape of the rings, the use of pewter allowed them to melt prototypes and reheat them until the finished product was achieved. The durable choice of the material also allowed the team to ensure products kept their appearance of silver without tarnishing.

The fidget rings are available in a range of colours.

Commenting on Oryx's success, business studies teacher Claudia Melo said: "There was a real collective effort at Southborough to get behind Oryx and I believe that made the difference.

"From the headteacher Mr Smith altering school rules which prohibit jewellery to allow students to wear them in class, to committing time in the school curriculum for volunteers to work on Oryx's project, to the determination and enthusiasm of Oryx team members to produce a product they knew could benefit their peers school experience."

Ms Melo added: "The deputy headteacher's wife was extremely happy as Mr Burns now has the perfect replacement for his wedding ring he had previously lost!"

Oryx have sold over 200 rings so far and are continuing to offer workshops in schools to students wishing to make their own.

You can purchase your own here.

To explore more of Young Enterprise's work within Kingston, head to their website to find out more.