Hagley Catholic High School students set themselves up as a travel company for an entrepreneurial challenge.

The event, at Akroyd House in Kidderminster, involved the students bidding to put together a package to take a group of tourism students to New York.

Supported with financial advice and guidance from Kim Whitehouse, of NatWest, the students were divided into business groups to tender for the contract and undertake business planning before organising the trip.

The teams were then judged by Ms Whitehouse on their ability to present and deliver a business plan, budget and a potentially profitable project.

The activities were part of NatWest’s MoneySense for Schools, a national programme set up by the bank to develop business and financial skills among young people.

Since its launch in 1994, more than 3,400 schools in England and Wales have been involved in the programme and more than 5,580 NatWest staff have been involved in its delivery, making it the largest financial education programme in the UK.

Real-life examples and online and interactive activities, video clips and activity sheets bring the programme to life to help pupils learn the steps involved in setting up and running a business, including the basics of business planning and understanding the importance of marketing in running a successful business.

Ms Whitehouse said: “I’ve had a fantastic time and I have been really impressed with the creativity and business acumen the young people of Hagley Catholic High School have shown in organising the trip to New York.

“It’s been great to see the teamwork displayed by the members of the different companies and to watch their self-confidence grow as the day went on.

“The importance of financial capability for young people cannot be underestimated as it’s essential that they are equipped with the skills and confidence required to make decisions in adult life.”

Karen Tedd, of Hagley Catholic High School, said: “This has been a great activity, which the young people have really enjoyed.

“It’s very important they gain basic money management skills and have the opportunity to develop their entrepreneurial and creative abilities.

“This activity was an extremely practical and fun way of doing this and brought alive what happens in real life.”

MoneySense for Schools has been developed in partnership with teachers to help schools and colleges teach personal money management and enterprise skills within the curriculum.

It consists of a series of modules, each of which can stand alone or be used in conjunction with others.

It aims to engage young people in a variety of role-playing scenarios, online and other interactive learning exercises to give them experience of making financial decisions.