PUPILS of Hagley Catholic High School set up as entrepreneurs and faced the challenge of posing as competing catering companies and putting in a bid to cater for Christmas party.

Supported with financial advice and guidance from Adrian Meredith, branch manager at NatWest, Kidderminster, the pupils were divided into business groups to tender for the contract and undertake business planning before designing menus and decorations.

They were then judged by Mr Meredith on their ability to present and deliver a project on time and to budget.

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, including Mr Meredith, have been involved in the 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 and helped 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.

Commenting on the event, Mr Meredith said: “I’ve had a fantastic time and I have been really impressed with the creativity and business acumen the young people have shown in organising their catering tender.

“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 that 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. We can’t thank Adrian and NatWest enough for making such a wonderful programme available to our pupils and for coming along to help us deliver it.”

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.

Any schools or colleges wanting to find out more about the MoneySense programme, how to get the free materials or how to get the support of a NatWest member of staff, should contact NatWest’s Lisa White on 07990792284, MoneySense Coach, or visit the MoneySense website, at www.natwest.com/moneysense.