The Interschools Enterprise Challenge Award Finale was won by The Crazelets Team from St Stephen’s CE Primary School in Twickenham.

Winning pupils from schools in and around London competed against each other in an enterprise challenge, organised by Stride Ventures, an education organisation, backed by Bermondsey Pub Company (BPC), part of Ei Managed Operations, Ei Group’s directly managed house business.

The inter-school final, held at King Solomon Academy, Penfold Street, saw 50 pupils from seven different schools battling it out to design their own children’s menu for the pub company, based on their presenting, creativity and problem-solving skills.

The finalists were chosen back in the autumn and spring terms, when the schools were challenged to come up with their own mini-businesses and take part in a range of commercial activities during an eight-week Putting Young Minds to Work programme.

One team from each class was chosen to compete in the final based on their business ideas, pitching, product development, costings, budgeting, planning, marketing and sales.

The judging panel included Karen Buck, the Labour party candidate for Westminster North, who presented a number of trophies as well as a total of £3,000 for the schools to spend, along with Paul Harbottle, group commercial director of Ei Group plc.

The winning children’s menu will be considered for roll-out across Bermondsey Pubs during the year.

“It is encouraging to see children learning by doing, rather than just being taught by rote. We know that ‘teaching by test’ is not always the best way to engage and get the maximum out of a child’s potential. Inspiring children at a young age to think about how the world of business ticks is a smart idea,” said Karen.

Fellow judge Paul Harbottle introduced the pupils to the course, sharing his own career and business insights with the students.

Paul added: “Our partnership with Stride is one of many local initiatives we support; the scheme is entrenched within our group DNA of supporting community groups.

"The project is extremely valuable, teaching children skills which can be transferred into real life business scenarios down the line, and not to mention very enjoyable for the kids too.

"The pupils were professional in their approach to the scheme, I’m very impressed with how well thought out their pitches were; there was clearly a real interest amongst them.”

During the Putting Young Minds to Work Programme, the total profit generated by all of the schools was £2,956.13.

Bermondsey Pub Company has invested nearly £30,000 into the programme, helping Stride Ventures run a total of 13 courses.

Stride Venture co-founder Elena Macia said: “It’s amazing that Bermondsey Pub Company is supporting something which helps teach business values to children.

"The Government and education experts are all saying this is a growing problem, and there is a lack of funding for this type of learning, which is why support from companies such as Bermondsey Pub Company is key in being able to bridge that gap.”

Article submitted by Kate Clark for Stride Ventures