ENTERPRISING youngsters were rewarded for their entrepreneurial spirit after staring a series of businesses.

ENTERPRISING youngsters were rewarded for their entrepreneurial spirit after staring a series of businesses.

Each class at Queensway Junior School in Thetford was lent �50 in November last year and set to work assigning job roles and creating a business plan. The pupils, between seven and 11-years-old, established eight companies and gave local enterprises a run for their money with car washing schemes, calendars and jewellery, plus karaoke and quiz and chips nights.

The winning class, from year six, which ran various events, made a profit of �160 and was awarded an “enterprise cup” in a special assembly on Friday and will be given the chance to visit nearby Flegg High School which specialises in business and enterprise.

They also chose to dedicate 50pc of their earnings to the Help for Heroes charity and 50pc to the upkeep of their classroom.

Headteacher Laura Jestico said: “I wanted to have some learning that had some real purpose that wasn't just related to a government initiative.

“It gives them the chance to think strategically, to think as a team and to be trusted with �50.”

The enterprise scheme will now be run each year.