Pupils from primary two schools in Hammersmith and Fulham borough have been learning about the business world with the help of a pub.

Year Six kids from Flora Gardens in Dalling Road, Hammersmith and Ark Bentworth in Bentworth Road, White City, completed the Putting Young Minds to Work business and enterprise course with the help of Bermondsey Pub Co, which owns the Duchess of Cambridge in Stamford Brook.

Around 30 pupils from each school spent 20 hours last term learning the importance of business planning, careful money management, customer focus and promotion and vital employment skills such as leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, presentation and communication.

The students completed workbook activities in lessons before conceptualising products and services for their target markets. They worked in groups to set up their mini-businesses using a loan of up to £40, and worked on production, finance, marketing and stall design.

The 11-year-old students then presented their business ideas to a panel of judges in Dragons' Den style ‘Perfect Pitch’ presentations and finally ran their businesses at their Christmas markets.

Judges included Ark Bentworth interim head Moira Cruddas, Flora Garden’s acting head Sam Naismith, Duchess of Cambridge manager Andy Caddick and Bermondsey Pub Co area manager Kevin Leach.

Ark Bentworth’s mini-business raised £56.18, and Flora Garden’s 269.79.

Year Six teacher at Ark Bentworth Primary Academy Lucy Thomson said: “This excellent course has given the children great knowledge of how a business works and taught them about taking responsibility within a group, time management and team work skills.”

And Lindy Woodcock, teacher from Flora Gardens , said: “The course has inspired my class and Stride supported them through a fantastic journey. We’re going to let pupils do it again in different teams at the summer fair using the school fund for loans.”

Judge Mr Caddick added: “The quality of the pupil’s business ideas and their level of commitment and enthusiasm for the project really impressed me. It has been fantastic working with pupils in our local community and I hope some of them may be inspired to consider hospitality as a future career.”