School news

Bedlington pupils challenged to make £5 grow

Posted by The Journal on Nov 25, 09 03:00 PM in School news

Hundreds of youngsters are being challenged to make money grow as part of a drive to foster a new spirit of enterprise.

About 1,500 school pupils in Wansbeck are joining forces with local companies of all sizes, who are investing thousands of pounds in the project.

From left, Callum Gardner- Kerr, Reece Aitmann, Suzi Howey of Food Local Food, David Turner and Joseph Beers at St Benet Biscop High School, Bedlington

From left, Callum Gardner- Kerr, Reece Aitmann, Suzi Howey of Food Local Food, David Turner and Joseph Beers at St Benet Biscop High School

Make £5 Grow is the brainchild of the Wansbeck Education Enterprise Network (WEEN).

Pupils aged 16 and under will get up to £5 to invest in their own business idea, and once they have made a profit they will repay the business which gave them the loan.

There are 50 groups of children from local schools taking part in the scheme. Each has its own mentor from one of the region's businesses.

They include more than 100 year-nine students at St Benet Biscop RC High School in Bedlington.

Four separate businesses - Environmental Academy in Gateshead, the Port of Blyth, Mike Rogerson Estate Agents and Food Local Food - are investing £600 between them in the Bedlington youngsters.

Suzi Howey, pictured, creative director of Food Local Food, said: "I think this scheme is brilliant.

"Children seem to have much more of an entrepreneurial spirit now compared to when I was growing up. Getting them involved in something like this, where business people can teach them about the practicalities of starting your own business, is fantastic."

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