Pupils at Bickley Park School in Bromley have taken their first steps to becoming young entrepreneurs after being given ten pounds each.
As part of the school’s centenary year, each pupil aged seven to 13 has been challenged to set up a profitable small business, either alone or by pooling their investment, with up to three other pupils.
The ‘lend us a tenner’ initiative challenges the children to unleash their business ideas and acumen over the Easter holiday. Pupils have been given guidance about how to set up a business and the dos and don’ts of acceptable business practice. At the end of the project, any profits made will be divided between two charities that have been nominated by the pupils’ school council and the boys themselves.
Project organiser, Sam Patel, said: “This has caught the imagination of the boys who have already come up with some exciting ideas that have the scope to be very successful businesses. It is great to see some also using technology to support the development of their concepts.”
Headmaster, Patrick Wenham, said: “As we enter the ‘future’ phase of the school’s landmark centenary year, it is a natural time to demonstrate 
our commitment to delivering an education focused on what lays ahead. This project responds to what experts are saying about the skill set that today’s children will need to thrive in the future world – the ability to think creatively and problem solve; be confident in using technology; collaborate effectively and the ability to self-manage risk.
“Hopefully we will inspire some budding entrepreneurs and raise money for good causes in the process.”
