Business classes at Newham College in the future will include lessons on how to run social enterprises.

Also known as community businesses, their profits are ploughed back into their communities. High profile businesses include The Big Issue and Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen restaurant chain.

East Ham campus director Geoff Crook said: “We’ve had enterprise and business skills as part of our curriculum for some and we’ve got a population that is entrepreneurial.

“I’m sure that many will be interested in social enterprise.”

It comes after the college scrapped IT courses just before the summer break following a “management review.” Students had to join other colleges to continue their studies.

College courses currently cover business up to diploma level but will be joined in September by the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy.