A GROUP of school children took over a farmers' market to learn about how to run a business and to raise money for a children's hospital.
The pupils from St Margaret's Primary School, in Durham, ran the stall at the city's farmers' market yesterday as part of a programme aimed at getting them to make a profit from a £5 investment.
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The programme is run by Virgin Money, which provided each pupil with a £5 start-up and lesson plans to help them learn how to use it to make a profit.
The pupils were challenged to make a profit with a £5 investment
About 40 children from year six were selling a range of sweets, cakes, drinks and "eco snacks", using sustainable palm oil, while another 20 were scheduled to sell items at the school's annual picnic, which takes place today.
Class teacher Rebecca Barker said: "We wanted to teach the children about enterprise and money management and planning.
"They've really enjoyed it. It's been a good opportunity to do something different after their SATs.
All of the profits made will be donated to the Great North Children's Hospital, which is the school's charity of the year.
Pupils from St Margaret's School busy selling at the Durham farmers' market
Leanne Watson, community project manager for Virgin Money, said: "Financial education is something that's really important to us as a company and we want to ensure every child across the country gets to access it, as well as the key skills involved.
"It's all about entrepreneurialism and key life skills like communication, team work, resilience and listening."
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