THE next Alan Sugar could come from Neston High School after students impressed in a nationwide programme to develop young people’s business and financial skills.
A total of 250 pupils took part in a The Apprentice style initiative run by NatWest bank.
The budding entrepreneurs faced the challenge of posing as competing catering companies and putting in a bid to cater for events.
The students were divided into groups to tender for the contract and undertake business planning before designing menus and decorations.
They were then judged by NatWest’s MoneySense For Schools coach Juliet Hardy-Wilson on their ability to present and deliver a project on time and to budget.
She 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 tenders.
“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.”
Nick Fearnley, of Neston High, 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. We can’t thank Juliet, Chris and NatWest enough for making such a wonderful programme available to our pupils and for coming along to help us deliver it.”
