Year 9 embarked on the much anticipated visit to the Cadbury factory located in Bournville, Birmingham.  This field trip is designed to show pupils how a transnational company (Kraft Foods) operates in today’s global market place.  On arrival the girls were taken on a guided walk of the ‘Garden Village,’ built by the Cadbury family in order to create an alternative to the nearby polluted industrial city of Birmingham.  Pupils then proceeded to their factory tour investigating the historic roots of chocolate and the Cadbury family.  They extended their understanding of chocolate making, Cadbury’s links with Ghana, and how Cadburys has advertised and marketed its products over the years.

After lunch pupils had the opportunity to listen to an excellent talk presented by Cadbury Education Manager, Mr Colin Pitt. They were able to find out why Kraft Foods bought Cadburys. Pupils were interested in learning about Cadbury caring philosophy.  Each year Cadbury workers are involved in many charitable fund raising activities. Cadburys has a special foundation for supporting rural cocoa farmers and their communities, called Cocoa Life (further information can be found at www.mondelezinternational.com ).  Colin was also able to explain to the girls the complexity of designing and then advertising new products. As new markets develop across the world Cadburys has to cater for many different tastes and palettes.  As always Colin was overwhelmed with a multitude of though-provoking questions and praised the girls for their insight and interest.

A fantastic time was had by all, who would expect there would be so much geography in a humble bar of chocolate?  Year 9 would like to extend their thanks to accompanying staff who valiantly volunteered for chocolate quality control duties.

Mr Meek

Pupil comments:

“It was the best school trip, fun and educational.”

“I enjoyed the Cadbury trip as it was fun as well as educational. I learnt many things I didn’t know before.”

“I liked looking around Bournville village and the facilities the Cadbury family built for their workers.”