BUSINESS-savvy teens will compete to make theirs the school of rock this autumn.

Sadie Harries is giving youngsters across Swindon and Wiltshire the chance to put on a battle of the bands next month – and in the process hone their business skills.

The Old Town self-made businesswoman is the brains behind the Platform Project, a scheme that aims to pair entrepreneurial teens with business mentors.

She has already run one Apprentice-style business challenge for children aged 14-19 – and will repeat the free week-long scheme for October half term.

Over five days up to 15 young people will learn all the rudiments of event marketing, from booking bands and selling tickets to marketing their events and organising venues.

After spending a week undergoing intensive tuition, the teens will return to school. They will have a month to book a band from the school and convince as many of their classmates as possible to come along to their battle of the bands.

Town centre venue Meca has already been booked for the musical showdown, with bands taking to the stage on Thursday, November 23.

The winning band – and group of business-minded teens – will win time in the studio with a commercial music producer, as well as air time on Swindon 105.5.

The course is the most ambitious Platform have yet attempted. Sadie, a management consultant, said: “I wanted to do something that was further reaching.”

The concert will also act as a fundraiser for the Platform Project, which hopes to move into new offices later this year.

The Platform Project course will run between Monday, October 23, and Friday, October 27, from 10am - 3pm in the Christ Church Community Centre, Old Town.

To find out more about the free week-long business course or to register your interest, visit: www.platformproject.co.uk or email info@platformproject.co.uk.