Twenty-four Sixth Form business students went to visit Thatcher’s cider to consolidate their studies of the subject. We are very fortunate to have such a well-known and successful manufacturing business on our doorstep!
The students were given a guided tour of the business’ operations by Eleanor Thatcher (an excellent role model for the students as she has only recently finished at school herself before joining the family business) and shown how the product is made from orchard to can and bottle. A particular highlight was the new, highly automated canning process where 30,000 cans can be produced per hour with only five staff!
The students then moved to the conference room where they were then given an overview of the business ethos, marketing and HR functions as well as their corporate strategy in a presentation. The students got a chance to quiz Eleanor on various aspects of the business including her priorities for the future as she becomes more involved in its running.
The day finished with a group task where students took the role of business consultants to develop and pitch ideas that would take the business to the ‘next level’. Particular highlights from Thatcher’s point of view were ideas about how the business could diversify, enter new markets and incentivise customers to recycle to reduce the business’ environmental impact.
The students have returned to school full of fantastic ideas and a sense of purpose that I will look forward to seeing reflected in their work in the Business classroom over the coming terms.
James Adams
Teacher of Business
