Pupils at Chipping Campden School Academy in Gloucestershire put their business acumen to the test last month during an innovative 'Enterprise Day' supported by staff from Coventry University's Institute for Applied Entrepreneurship (IAE).

The event, which took place as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week, was so successful that a number of parents have since called the school to complement the staff involved and comment on how much value it added to their children's learning.

Preparation for the event began in September when sixteen Year 11 students volunteered to develop a business plan to improve the school's Rural Enterprise Program for the production and sale of apple juice.

Coventry University - which last week won the Times Higher Education 'Entrepreneurial University of the Year' award - held two Skype sessions during which its staff worked with the students to develop their business plans.

Coventry University's Dr Moya Kneafsey, an expert in fair routes to trade in the UK market, and two graduate interns, Charlie Hewitt-Dean and David Thomas - both of whom are young entrepreneurs - then visited the school to host a Business Planning Day on 17th November.

The team from Coventry University's IAE then spent time with each group to answer individual questions and offer advice. The groups were also given advice on how to prepare and deliver a pitch. At the end of the day the students were judged by the panel and a winning group was selected to receive a gift voucher.

Lisa Drummond, project manager at Coventry University's Institute for Applied Entrepreneurship, said:

"We were particularly pleased with the high quality of the students' work. We're looking to continue this program into the future as well as engaging in the possibility of sharing best practice with other schools."

James Slattery, head of work-related learning at Chipping Campden School Academy, said:

"On behalf of Chipping Campden School, we are once again greatly impressed with the quality of learning we have experienced from this program.

"Not only was the Business Planning Day itself very engaging, but the whole preparation process that involved Skype and the submission of Business Plans allowed our students to develop a real appreciation of the importance of detailed preparation and background research. This program will benefit our students enormously as they continue their educational journey onto what will ultimately become a very successful professional career."

Coventry University was recently chosen from a shortlist of six other universities for the prestigious 2011 'Entrepreneurial University of the Year' award, which commends the institution that has best demonstrated that it encourages its students, staff, and others to be enterprising in what they do and how they do it.

For more information about Coventry University, please visit their website here: www.coventry.ac.uk