PUPILS from an Oxford school are helping to teach the teachers.

Eighteen children from Pegasus Primary School, Blackbird Leys, have created three animated training DVDs produced from a children’s perspective.

And after presenting them to Oxford’s own version of Dragon’s Den, the children were praised for their professionalism – and told their material was so good they were underpricing it.

Deputy headteacher Francis Murphy said: “They scripted it themselves, they created the animations by moving the plasticine and Lego and made the scenery. One of the ‘dragons’ who teaches at the Said Business School works with people who run major firms and was amazed.”

It cost the youngsters 34p to produce each DVD and they proposed selling them for £2 each. But the dragons – Dr Andrew White, associate dean for executive education at the Said Business School, Family Links chief executive Annette Mountford, director of the Oxford Strategic Leadership Programme at Said Business School Tracey Camilleri, Family Links trustee Gail Allen and animator Emma Dougherty – said they should charge £20.

Charity Family Links will sell the DVDs from its website, familylinks.org.uk, and the children have been invited to present and sell at the charity’s July conference.

The youngsters won a series of prizes for their work, including an animation workshop from Ms Dougherty, a business masterclass from the Said Business School, and a day out in London.

The three animations cover online safety for children, choices and consequences, and how to word statements to help children’s behaviour. Bisola Ajayi, 11, said: “It was a great experience and I’m glad I got a chance to be in the group. Making an animation is a great way to show teachers how to give choices.”

Dr White said: “The children presented with a confidence and eloquence many adults would struggle to match, and their business ideas were well thought out.”

Ms Mountford added: “We were so impressed by the children’s vision and creativity as well as their grasp of business.”

Mr Murphy said: “There is definitely brilliant leadership potential among that group.”