Should pupils be allowed to sell snacks in school? by Danny Wright

Pupil stopped from selling sweets!

dannyeduk — 2022-04-13 17:19:37 UTC

Opinions and comments on Newsround article

dannyeduk — 2022-04-13 17:20:32 UTC

Pupil made £10k selling snacks in school!

dannyeduk — 2022-04-13 17:22:08 UTC

Pupil is told he will be suspended for continuing to sell sweets - makes £14k doing it!

dannyeduk — 2022-04-13 17:24:04 UTC

Sell sweets in school and you're suspended, head tells pupils

dannyeduk — 2022-04-13 17:26:46 UTC

Youngsters at Failsworth School have been supplementing their pocket money by selling sweets, crisps and fizzy drinks to other pupils. But the school – which bans the sale of junk food and does not allow pupils off the school grounds during breaks – has branded it ‘illegal’.

Headteacher John Meagher has written a strongly-worded letter to parents warning them that pupils caught trading could be kicked out of school.

He said: "Some pupils are buying sweets and drinks wholesale – possibly from their parents – and selling them for significant profit.

"Some older pupils are even franchising their ‘businesses’ to younger pupils.

"This is illegal because they are not paying VAT. But as a specialist sports college we are bound by rules in regards to healthy eating. We don’t sell sweets, crisps or fizzy drinks here.

"We also have a contract with our PFI partner Kier Management which means they provide food and drink exclusively and this is not fulfilling our part of that contract.

"This was a growing problem so we have acted swiftly.

"These may be the businessmen and women of the future, but we have a duty to develop these pupils into responsible citizens and this is inappropriate."

Pupils face detention if they are caught selling sweets and suspended from school for a day if caught a second time.

However, one parent, who did not wish to be named, said the school was being heavy-handed. She said: "I do feel it’s destroying the opportunities for children who show some entrepreneurship as teen-agers.

We will be discussing the question "Should pupils be allowed to sell snacks in school?" and we would like to gather as many thoughts and opinions on this topic as possible - please can you help?!

dannyeduk — 2022-04-15 07:45:48 UTC

How can you help?
Think about the question and give us your thoughts and opinion on the subject. You may have multiple reasons for your thoughts - these would really support our discussion and work around this topic and your opinion may even be quoted in one of our final pieces of writing.

You may have reasons for and against - that's fine - we would like to hear them all so that we can have an informed view.

Thank you all in advance :)

SJ, 12 - YES

dannyeduk — 2022-04-26 10:43:46 UTC

I think that pupils should be allowed to sell sweets because it helps them in life. They can make money at an early age and make a good amount of money.

HM, 12 - Yes

dannyeduk — 2022-04-26 10:48:11 UTC

I think that pupils should be allowed to sell snacks in school because it will give good life experiences and earn themselves enough money to buy themselves some nice things. I do think that they should have to pay the school £1 a day as rent so that the school can pay that for the taxes.

MS, 12 - YES OF COURSE

dannyeduk — 2022-04-26 10:52:01 UTC

I just think that why is it not allowed? the benefits of them selling is that they will learn appropriate life skills, start a business and make some money.

I do not see any negative things about the pupils selling the snacks.

I think the teachers are being ridiculous suspending people for this!

RM

dannyeduk — 2022-04-26 10:54:38 UTC

I think that students should be allowed to sell snacks in school because this can help them to develop entrepreneurial and business skills. However, there should be adult supervision and some sort of arrangement between students and teachers/school as to what to do with the profits etc.

Tom, 12 - YES

dannyeduk — 2022-04-26 10:57:28 UTC

I think that pupils should be allowed because I think it is a great idea. It can help them in the future with business. It could also give them experience of working and may help them to get a job in the future.

I think the teachers are being to harsh on them because they are losing pupils to suspension - this is damaging their pupils' education. This is exactly what a teacher is supposed to provide.

Miss Payne, old-No

2022-04-29 08:26:23 UTC

This could be the start of racketeering and financial implications. Why would you pay more for a snack that you could buy yourself cheaper in a shop? What about the students who cannot afford to buy these snacks? What if more than one students wants to sell snacks, this could lead to conflict in the playground. Health and safety issues...sell by dates, contamination, allergies etc. Increased litter and dietary problems.

Mrs Sanderson, also old, No

2022-05-03 07:37:34 UTC

Snacks aren't really necessary in school, eating between meals is a significant contributor to the obesity crisis so in school we should not be encouraging it. At King's Oak everyone has access to a healthy snack at tutor time and at break, students don't need any more than this.

Who would regulate the trade? Can anyone sell? I think there is huge scope for this causing trouble between students and potential to increase bullying.

Maybe to those who suggest this would develop business skills a solution could be a school tuck shop run by pupils but supervised by staff. Students could keep accounts of income, expenditure and profit. There is loads of scope for data handling to be done when keeping track of best sellers and lines to discontinue.

Janis Newman - Yes and No!

2022-05-03 07:40:36 UTC

I sound like I'm sitting on the fence however there are a number of factors to take into account.
Is the money being made for a charity then YES.
Not all parents have spare cash for this then NO.
Some students (and staff) don't react well to a sugar overload then NO.
All snacks should be healthy then YES
Snacks day once a week as a treat - YES
In conclusion then YES.

Mr Brackup - No

2022-05-03 08:08:38 UTC

I am all for students to demonstrate the entrepreneurial spirit however at school it is not appropriate to do this. Your time and energy as students should be focusing on improving your education rather than selling products for your own personal gain.

Although I believe students should not be allowed to sell products at school I do not oppose students creating business plans and marketing strategies with the help of their teachers in order to use outside of school!

Poundland, a pavement and a table are a great way to start a roadside buisness!

Mr Craig - No, no and thrice no!

2022-05-04 08:30:48 UTC

Schools are not free markets; the unregulated sale of goods of any kind should not be permitted in school. A school is a place of academic learning, socialisation and pastoral development and care; not commerce. There is already a wealth of distractions to the main business of school, namely the embedding of knowledge and skills deemed necessary as a foundation for entry into adult life. Allowing pupils to divert their attentions to profit making ventures undermines the importance and value of learning for both its own sake and for its role in preparing children and young people for their life after school. If we say that other aspects of life override this primary purpose than what is the point of school at all? Why not send all children out to work and do away with academic education altogether?

In response to the argument that selling sweets and snacks at school builds entrepreneurial spirit; I would suggest that those who are truly inclined in this way will find the means to build their business and be successful outside of school hours.

Mr G

2022-05-04 11:15:10 UTC

Yes, I think it is a brilliant idea. It will teach pupils the value of money and social enterprise ... an honest days pay for an honest days work. Understanding how profit and loss work will be a hugely beneficial skill for the future.

OB, 11 - London

2024-04-15 11:33:19 UTC

Yes because it gives them the experience of having a business/job. Also, they will have a better chance of getting rich as an adult as they will know more.

EB, 11 - London

2024-04-15 11:34:25 UTC

Yes because it would help you with life skills and will give you enough money to pay rent, bills and tax.

2024-04-15 11:35:17 UTC

Yes, because it would be fun trading and selling snacks. Also, other people could make money too.

MO, 12 - London

2024-04-15 11:39:06 UTC

Yes. Selling sweets can help you make a living. Buying and selling things that you have bought on on the market, like ebay, facebook marketplace, amazon and temu could help you to make money and earn a good living.

CCW

2024-04-15 11:40:32 UTC

Yes because it can help you in life and support your entrepenurial skills.

CCW

2025-09-08 09:12:08 UTC

i agree because its a legal way to make money.