by Emma Grove

A rising TV star headed over the Swale to take part in the final of the Isle of Sheppey Academy's Apprentice.

Stuart "The Brand" Baggs, who starred in Lord Alan Sugar's BBC show last year, travelled to the school on Friday.

He was joined by a panel of judges, including last year's IOSA Apprentice winner Kyle Mullings and MP Gordon Henderson.

There were five pupils out of the original line-up of 19 who got through to the last stage: Dan Lawton, Paige Lendon, Brooke Buttfield, Maddie Springett and Sophie Parker.

At the final, which took place at the academy's east site in Minster, the audience and judges were introduced to the finalists and then a video showing some of the tasks from the competition was played.

The judges then had a chance to ask a question to one of the candidates before they were told how the last task went.

For the finale, they were given a list of items and a budget and they had to go out into Sheppey and buy all the items within a certain time limit.

Items included a teddy bear, a piece of dog clothing and half a pound of whelks.

Dan spent the most money which put him in fifth place and Brooke spent the second highest so the two of them were fired - Brooke taking fourth place and a £75 prize.

Stuart had to fire the pair and sympathised with them saying: "I can tell you it absolutely sucks to be fired but I think I have done better having been fired.

"You can take what's happened to you and use it and you probably can better than I have."

There were then more questions to the final three who were asked which their favourite task was, which they found most challenging, why they think they should win, what they have learnt from the experience and what they would have done differently if they could.

After giving a speech about his experience on the Apprentice and what it meant for him, Stuart then announced the winners.

When 16-year-old Paige was announced in first place, the hall erupted in cheers and her mum ran up on stage to give her daughter a congratulatory hug.

Paige gets the title of the Isle of Sheppey Academy Apprentice 2011, £500 and a trip to Westminster with Mr Henderson.

Sophie, 15, came second and got £250 and Maddie, 14, came third and was given a cheque for £125.

Paige, from Sheerness school, said: "I never expected to win - it was a real surprise and I'm so happy.

"I've never been on holiday before so I'm spending the money on a holiday.

"I would like to thank Ben and Roy Ferris as they were the ones who gave us free whelks in the final task."

Sophie, who came second, said: "I was quite happy to come second because I wanted Paige to win - she deserves it and I wanted it for her.

"Even if I didn't win anything I would have been proud of myself."

Third-placed Maddie said: "I'm really proud.

"I think everyone who was in the competition did amazingly but I'm so proud of myself. It's been an amazing experience."

Brooke, who came fourth, said: "It's a bit gutting but I'm still really happy with what I got.

"It's not all about the money - I was in it for the experience."

Fifth-placed Dan said: "I feel like I have got one of the main prizes out of it because if I won the money, I wouldn't have the determination to do it.

"As I came fifth, I want to get out there and do the best I can. It's been great."

But he said he wouldn't do anything differently if he was to go back on the show, and he doesn't regret anything he has ever done.

Ever-confident Stuart plugged his new TV show Celebrity Five Go To South Africa which sees him and four other famous people, including Christopher Biggins, go on holiday and compete to be crowned best travelling companion.

He also praised the pupils who have taken part in the competition.

He said: "These kids have really shown themselves as having those core skills that you need.

"The future of the Isle of Sheppey has been secured - you don't need to worry about that."

Many of the Apprentice tasks were organised by the academy's parent forum.

This is made up of parents with children who go the school and they are on the lookout for new members.

The forum meets once a month and their aim is to support and challenge the children through business and enterprise.

As well as organising the tasks, members of the forum also took turns as judges during the Apprentice.

• To find out more about the parent forum, visit www.sheppeybusiness.co.uk

Paige Lendon, 16, Sheerness - Apprentice winner

Sophie Parker, 14, Harty - second place

Maddie Springett, 13, Abbey - third place

Brooke Buttfield, 13, Abbey - fourth place

Daniel Lawton, 16, Sheerness - fifth place

Jade Clare, 14, Harty (fired)

Alfie Chapman, 14, Brabazon (fired)

Paige Cruickshanks, 15, Sheerness (fired)

Jacob Endean, 11, Sheerness (fired)

Rosie-May Neenan, 12, Brabazon (fired)

Charlotte King, 12, Shurland (fired)

Ryan Howard, 14, Sheerness (fired)

Isobelle Davies, 12, Sheerness (fired)

Alex Jamieson, 12, Harty (fired)

Kelcy Price, 13, Sheerness (fired)

Frankie Morgan, 14, Shurland (fired)

Vicky Rickwood, 13, Shurland (fired)

Tara Boosey, 13, Sheerness school (fired)

Georgia Oliver, 16, Brabazon (fired)

Ashleigh Shorter, 12, Sheerness (fired)

Philipe Paiva, 12, Abbey (fired)