As a class DLE project, 8W have had a busy term taking part in Virgin Bank’s make £5 grow scheme. This scheme gives pupils the opportunity to build their mathematics, literacy, research, team-building and financial skills, whilst giving them a taste of what it is like to be an entrepreneur.

Each pupil was loaned £5 by the bank, which they then had to invest in a business idea so that the £5 would grow and make a profit. The pupils worked in groups to research a business idea and then to complete a business plan which they had to present to the rest of the class and to Mr Johnson.  Business logos and adverts were designed, market research was carried out, business letters were written and sourcing of value for money resources was carried out. It was a busy time with all hands on deck to make six businesses succeed within the term!

We had ‘Winter Warmers’ selling hot chocolate to pupils on cold break times, ‘Chantry Car Wash’ taking over the carpark at the back of school to wash cars, ‘Cream Base’ Making and selling bath bombs, ’Christmas Crafters’ decorating and selling Christmas baubles, ‘BBR Popcorn’ selling bags of homemade popcorn and  ‘Pop-Diggerty-Dog’ selling popcorn and hot dogs at the end of the school day.

The day we counted up the profits was certainly exciting and we were delighted that every group was able to pay back the bank loan they had been given and be left with a healthy profit.

We plan to spend some of the profits made on well-deserved last day of term treats and then to take  a class vote on what we would like to spend the rest on; wet break time resources has been one of the great suggestions made so far.