SIXTH formers from three Croydon schools have been given a taste of what life as an entrepreneur could have in store for them.

The group of 50 students from Coloma Convent Girls School and Trinity School, in Shirley, and Archbishop Tenison's in Croydon, took part in a "classroom to boardroom" programme.

Organised by Entrepreneurs in Action (EiA), which is based in Carlton Road, South Croydon, the event was held in conjunction with Channel 4 and the British Council, the international cultural relations body. EiA's aim is to give students experience of enterprise through hands-on business challenges and learning programmes.

The Croydon students were split into two groups.

One worked on a project set by Channel 4 – whose headquarters they visited – to come up with ideas on how to use new media to help tackle childhood obesity.

The youngsters devised an online game highlighting the dangers of obesity, which it is now hoped may be taken on board by the television channel.

The second group was asked to come up with ways of encouraging more boys to take part in international volunteering.

Fiona Gray, operations manager for EiA, said the programme just before the end of term had given the students an insight into the world of business and an opportunity to discover any talents they had as future entrepreneurs.

She added: "It showed what can be done if, for example, you don't want to go to university."

Discovering entrepreneurial skills gave the students another string to their bow as they prepare to enter a world where jobs are likely to be more difficult to find.

EiA was founded in 2003 by entrepreneur Derek Browne who has developed a wide range of courses that he says encourage young people to be innovative and experimental as they develop their potential as future entrepreneurs and leaders.