BUSINESS-MINDED students at two Bournemouth schools will learn from Dragon’s Den star Peter Jones thanks to a new partnership.

Avonbourne and Harewood colleges have teamed up with the Peter Jones Foundation to promote enterprise education and entrepreneurship.

They are among the first schools in the country to embark on such an initiative and are building on the Avonbourne Trust’s record as a business academy.

Executive Principal, Debbie Godfrey-Phaure, said: “We’re thrilled to be officially linking up with the Peter Jones Foundation to further enhance the work we already do in encouraging an entrepreneurial spirit in all our young people.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to learn from the very best and help carve out successful careers for themselves.” As a Peter Jones Enterprise School Avonbourne and Harewood colleges will be committed to supporting opportunities for students and teachers to develop their enterprising skills and attributes.

The colleges will also take part in business-inspired challenges run by the Peter Jones Foundation to develop students’ enterprise and employability skills.

Students have also formed a Peter Jones Enterprise Club to oversee new business ventures and entries into competitions.

Peter Jones CBE, said: “We are delighted that Avonbourne Trust wants to prioritise entrepre-neurship and put enterprise at the core of young people’s learning.

“We are very much looking forward to working closely together to prepare Avonbourne students for future success.”

Last year a team of sixth formers from Avonbourne Trust scooped the national Tycoon in Schools competition, run by Peter Jones. And for the last five years students have won top prizes in the Young Enterprise Tenner competition – the UK’s search for the next generation of entrepreneurs.