Pupils have been coming up with their own business ideas in a Young Apprentice-style scheme to raise money for local charities.

Even the youngest class at St Teresa Catholic Primary School, Dagenham, has set up a small business scheme starting with just £30. Four of the classes have turned their combined £120 “seed money” into £820.

Year One pupils held a sale where parents were offered handmade cookies, key rings, Christmas cards and decorations to buy.

Headteacher Michael Corcoran said: “The children have used their fantastic literacy and numeracy skills to help plan and run their businesses and they have learnt so much in the process.

“I must thank the parents and children of St Teresa’s who have supported each class by buying their goods and helping to raise so much money for the charities. It’s lovely to see that we have so many budding entrepreneurs here.”

Money raised is being donated towards St Francis Hospice, Catholic Agency For Overseas Development (CAFOD), Marie Curie Cancer Care and Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society, among others.

Year 5 pupil Queenette Anadi said: ‘The feeling of selling our products to customers and raising money for the charity was amazing.

“I would love to do it again next year and I think all schools should do it because it helps charities and it really helped my maths too.”