Chip shop champions at Beaumont (From Times Series)

Chip shop champions at Beaumont

10:22am Monday 28th January 2008

• Print
• Email
• Share

STUDENTS at Beaumont School overcame real commercial problems such as fluctuating exchange rates, language barriers and finance shortages in a day-long business exercise.

Divided into marketing companies, pupils in Year Eight were challenged to win contracts for Spanish and German businesses, represented by language teachers, at the Oakwood Drive comprehensive on Thursday.

To win contracts to set up fish and chip shops abroad, the students had to design and cost company clothing, signs and packaging.

After winning the contracts they had to produce the items, producing business plans, buying raw materials and negotiating finance to - hopefully - end up with a profit.

Enterprise teacher Mich Jones, who has supervised similar exercises in previous years, said: "Our pupils really seem to get a lot out of it.

"As well as using their skills in a work setting it also gave them a flavour of some of the pressures they might have to deal with in the real world.

"It's incredible how enthusiastic the students are, and how wrapped up in the role play they get. "As I was putting up new flashes and information on changes in the exchange rates in the form rooms the cheers and groans were deafening!

"They were on the go all day - I had a real struggle to close the bank at the close of business as they were still trying to do last minute deals.

"The staff also did an fantastic job as it's extra work for them to prepare, and also a demanding job on the day, but they were all brilliant.

"Our banker Debbie Hinson deserves a special mention for coping with endless queues of workers wanting to bank their earnings at ever changing exchange rates.

"Luckily she used to work in a bank so she kept her cool brilliantly."

The exercise tested skills including languages, maths, business planning, design, negotiating and presentation.

The winning company, with a profit of £83.34, was Botbot from Form 8A.

• Print
• Email
• Share