WHEN teachers at The King’s School Chester devised a series of lockdown challenges earlier this year, their pupils weren’t the only ones who benefitted.

‘King’s Challenges’ were created to encourage pupils to engage with some hands-on activities and support independent businesses at the same time, with all the prizes on offer for independently owned businesses in the local area.

Pupils in Junior School were challenged to write a poem about their ‘recipe for happiness’, whilst infants could choose between creating a story about a new-found super power or a tale of an adventurous weekend.

Senior School students had the option of a poem or a 500-word piece of fiction in a style of their choosing.

The winners of the Creative Writing Challenges were presented with vouchers to Storyhouse, which has struggled over the last 18 months after being forced to close for much that time.

This was followed by a Baking Challenge, which asked for the most ‘weird and wonderful’ creations possible. Winners included some incredible illusion bakes such as cupcake sushi and a strawberry and chocolate pizza.

Prizes included vouchers for The Jaunty Goat, Hanky Panky Pancakes, CUPS and Brown Sugar in Chester, and Brew and Tucker in Frodsham.

Head of catering at King’s, Matt Ferguson, said: “It has been a really tough year for independents and by letting our winners choose their favourite coffee shops, we were able to support businesses that we might not have otherwise been aware of.

“We’re really pleased that we’ve been able to support five local independent businesses, all of which are important to their local community.”