Young entrepreneurs at a Bradford school have been sharing their business secrets as part of a programme run by The Salvation Army.

Seven year nine pupils from Immanuel College in Thackley gave presentations to their parents and teachers about enterprises set up through the organisation’s Change Programme, which aims to help secondary school students realise the value of their education by learning how to start a business.

The ten-week pilot project taught them how to write business plans, pitch to investors, carry out market research and manage budgets for two enterprises – Crazy Cards and Basic Bakers.

The pupils sold their products – handmade greetings cards and home-made cakes – at the Shipley Salvation Army Corps’ autumn fair and at Keighley Market.

The scheme also saw them take part in team building exercises at Fanwood Scout Camp in Gomersal.

Gillian Shepherd, strategic development officer for Alove, The Salvation Army’s youth work team, said: “We wanted to provide a group of young people with the opportunity to set up their own business and learn about the value of education and enterprise that should stand them in good stead for getting a job when they leave school.

“We believe the value of the Change programme is that it equips young people with general skills that are important in life, learning respect, taking responsibility for their actions and develops communication skills alongside the business understanding and skills they can acquire.

‘‘For some young people it can help to remind them how valuable education is in giving them more choices in their future including the jobs they might do and for others it might start to develop aspirations and a direction for what they want to do when they leave school.”

Sarah Roberts, project manager for Young Enterprise, which helped deliver the scheme, said: “The Change programme is fantastic for young people to understand their potential, acquire relevant skills and build their confidence to support their future education and careers.”