Dragons' Den star Peter Jones CBE.

Ormiston Forge Academy signed up to the Peter Jones Enterprise School Award which promotes practical business education in schools.

The award gives students the opportunity to run their own enterprise clubs and take part in various national challenges.

Ormiston Forge Academy Director of Business Studies Claire Bennett said: “This partnership will provide so many opportunities that are difficult for us to deliver alone – particularly contact with professional business people who can inspire and encourage our pupils to raise their aspirations and have a go at new things.”

The Peter Jones Enterprise School Award is run by the Peter Jones Foundation, the charity behind the national enterprise competition Tycoon in Schools.

Tycoon in Schools 2014 saw a team of Ormiston Forge sixth formers secure a runners-up spot with their fabric-design company, Backstage Bunting.

Miss Bennett added: “Our students that took part learned a great deal during the competition and really enjoyed themselves. What’s more, all communication with the charity was ultra-efficient, friendly and always very useful.

“We are delighted now to be a part of this new initiative as it provides numerous opportunities for students of all key stages, abilities and learning styles to pick up some really important skills.”

The programme is designed to equip students with a range of competencies that will boost their employability in the future.

They will be encouraged to set up their own companies, pitch to investors and get involved in community projects and events. They will also be able to attend a series of workshops and master classes delivered by industry experts.

Peter Jones Foundation CEO Alice Barnard said: “We are very excited to be working with Ormiston Forge Academy to give students some great experience of what it takes to run a business.

“We put a lot of emphasis on confidence and creativity, and we do everything we can to get young people really enthusiastic about entrepreneurship."