PUPILS from Reid Street Primary have surpassed expectations and raised money for four local organisations as part of the Trailblazing Competition, which teaches entrepreneurial skills to children.

The children brainstormed a business plan, a marketing campaign and raised more money than 5 other schools across the Tees Valley.

Reid Street Primary won two awards for Best Business Plan and Best Marketing Campaign.

Deputy Head, Joanne Davison leads Careers and Aspirations at the school and was responsible for entering the school into the competition.

She said: “The pupils have all really enjoyed raising money and it’s just been great to see them excited.

“We’ve faced challenges due to Covid but we’ve made the most of it, the children have enjoyed it and learnt a lot and we’ve raised loads of money.

“It’s been a hard year for the children so it’s great they’ve had something positive to focus on.”

“Some of the activities and presentations had to be done remotely which was a challenge but we got through it and I can’t believe what they’ve achieved.”

Read more: Children to contest global accolade for most empathy

The pupils raised £250 for Darlington Memorial Hospital, £150 for Darlington Mind, £100 for Dogs Trust and £100 for St Teresa’s Hospice.

Claire Wills from the Tees Valley Primary Careers Programme came into the school to present a cheque for £200.

Claire said: “There were over 300 participants from 6 schools from the Tees Valley so they should be so proud.

“It’s just really nice that they’ve worked together towards something important.”

The original ‘wavemakers’ from earlier this year left for secondary school so their younger siblings represented them and accepted the cheque.

Head Teacher, Paula Ayto, said: “We’re looking forward to getting started on the next competition and hopefully our pupils will win again.

“They’ve worked so hard and enjoyed themselves.”

Back in February, the‘wavemakers’, started working on their business plan and decided sweet treats, stress-balls and plants in mugs would be a hit.

At the official launch of the competition in February the pupils met Katie Bulmer-Cooke, North East businesswoman and contestant on BBC’s The Apprentice.

The children also picked up lots of entrepreneurial tips from watching business presentations.

The children decided to sell their bakes on National Nurses Day to raise money for the NHS.

Read more: Primary schooled hailed world's most empathic

Reid Street hopes to get started on the next Trailblazing Competition from January to June 2022.

This is the thrird award Reid Street Primary has recieved since June.

Last June the school won an award for being the most empathic in the world, competing against schools from 40 countries including Mexico, Italy and Nepal.

Next February Reid Street will start working closely with schools from around the world.

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