A group of schoolchildren have visited the Northallerton branch of Darlington Building Society after winning a competition to test their enterprising nature.
Branch Manager, Kayleigh Turner, set the children of Mill Hill Primary School an Apprentice-style challenge after visiting to give a talk on the economics of business during the school’s Enterprise Week.
Kayleigh asked each class to develop products that they could make themselves and then form a business strategy to outsell the other classes at the school’s Christmas fair, with the class that made the most profit securing a visit to the branch.
The children even secured a high street presence after having their promotional posters displayed in the windows of the branch.
The Kingfisher class, which includes children from years five and six, won the challenge after making a profit of £95.35 selling an array of products, including peppermint creams, coasters, Christmas decorations and brooches.
During the visit, the children were shown the security features of bank notes under ultraviolet light and received a tour of the branch’s safe and strong room, before getting first-hand business experience serving customers at the counter.
Kayleigh Turner, branch manager at the Northallerton branch of Darlington Building Society, said: “It was fantastic to visit the children at Mill Hill. They really rose to the challenge I set during Enterprise Week, creating some great products and business ideas.
“The Kingfishers did exceptionally well to make a profit of almost £100 and should be proud of their creativity, entrepreneurship and team work.
“As part of our 160 the anniversary we’re aiming to use our resources to help 160 local organisations, which includes opening up our branches to visits from local schools.”
Annie Croft, co-head teacher at Mill Hill Primary School said: “The children in the Kingfishers class were really enthused by Kayleigh’s visit and were determined to raise the most money in school.
“It has been a vital lesson about the world of business. They took their marketing and sales roles very seriously. They learnt to cost materials, keep within a set budget, and now understand profit and loss, and will be able to apply their knowledge and skills in their own lives.”