A group of young entrepreneurs braved a Dragons’ Den-style panel to pitch their business ideas to experts from Crossrail.

The Den was part of a project run by Newham Education Business Partnership that saw pupils from Carpenters Primary School in Stratford learn about the world of engineering.

Pupils were able to design bridges and railway stations and learn about branding and logo design, as well as improve their presentation skills in workshops.

The Work Week, from February 24 to 28, also included an evening class for parents to learn to write an effective CV.

Asiah Faure, 10, from Newham, said: “Getting to stand up and present my idea to the Dragons was quite scary, but I enjoyed doing it. They said they really liked my plan and suggested ways I could improve it.”

She added: “I think it’s important to find out about work as it helps us all to decide what we want to do. I think after today I want to be a businessman.”

Bronwen Hook, deputy headteacher at the school, said: “It’s incredibly important to get young children interested in the world of work and to explore their creativity from an early age.

“Events such as these give our pupils the opportunity to learn about the world outside of the classroom and see what they can achieve through hard work.”

Shireen Ali-Khan, Crossrail’s community investment programme manager, said the company hoped to leave a “lasting legacy” by working with local communities.

She added: “Hands-on activity days such as Work Week are a great way to illustrate the amazing careers young people can enter.”