12-year-old boy who earns £60 a day selling chocolate to friends at school is suspended

A schoolboy has been suspended for selling chocolate and crisps to pupils. Tommie Rose, 12, set up a playground business after being inspired by TV shows Dragon’s Den and The Apprentice. His family say he was making up to £60 a day selling chocolate, crisps, and drink at Oasis Academy in Salford. But the school has a strict healthy-eating policy and teachers say sales between students are banned.

Tommie, of James Henry Avenue, Ordsall, began selling the snacks at the start of this term. He was sent home for a day and given a warning by teachers, but the budding businessman has persisted in smuggling goods into the school – and has racked up 10 days of suspensions. Parents Gary, 30, and Tracy, also 30, say they have tried to stop their son from selling the sweets – but believe his punishment is too harsh. Gary said: "We are supporting the school but I think he is only selling chocolate and the way they have dealt with it is far too harsh. We’ve told him not to do it and have checked his bag before he goes out. But we’ve only just found out he is stashing it with friends.



"At the end of the day, the school sets the rules and we are a bit worried by what’s going to happen with the money he’s brought in. But I think he’s just showing a bit of business sense and he shouldn’t be missing out on his education because of it." Tommie buys his stock from bulk discount stores, selling to classmates at a competitive mark-up. He said: "I got the idea from watching Dragon’s Den and feeling I could do something like that. The school just sells water and dinners. I have been bringing in eighty chocolate bars, Lucozade and Doritos each day and have been selling out.

"The teachers are now coming out before we go through the gates and asking to see in our bags. I would rather be at school but I think the teachers have got it in for me now." Tommie was last sent home on Thursday – and cannot return to classes until Wednesday. Principal Patrick Ottley-O’Connor said pupils were encouraged to develop their business skills through activities such as growing vegetables for sale.

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