Student visit to Thomas Deacon Academy in Peterborough,

In January 2017 the Fair Trade project team met in England for the third transnational meeting of the project and the first student visit to Thomas Deacon Academy in Peterborough, England. 

TDA welcomed teachers and students from Germany, Denmark, Italy, Austria and Slovakia for the next stage of the Fair Trade Project. Students were hosted by families of TDA students while the teachers stayed in nearby accommodation. TDA offered a packed itinerary for the visiting schools including workshops, presentations, cultural visits and feedback from the visit to the chocolate factory.

On the first morning students and teachers were formally welcomed to TDA by the Principal, Mr Walls, following which each partner school delivered a short presentation on the work they have been undertaking on the project since our last meeting. Following the welcome meeting and presentations TDA International Ambassadors took the guests on a tour of the Academy.

The Royal Geographical Society visited TDA in the afternoon to deliver a workshop on digital mapping, to support the project partners in producing a digital map of their respective towns for the project website. Students were able to start working on their maps, plotting suppliers of Fair Trade products in their local areas.

On day two students worked with the Peterborough Skills Service on a Dragons’ Den style business challenge. The students were split into groups and were given resources and instructions on producing a business model to sell up-cycled products made from coffee bean bags. The students were required to allocate roles to each member of their team and they had to produce a business plan, marketing plan and financial records for their business. At the end of the challenge each team had to present their business proposal to a panel of judges. There were some very interesting ideas and unique products.

                                                                                                                                                                                             

In the afternoon we visited the impressive Peterborough Cathedral, a 12^th century Norman structure situated in the city centre. The students and teachers received a guided tour of the Cathedral where they were able to ask questions and peruse the amazing structure.

    

On day three the project team received a visit from Bala Sports, the only producers of Fair Trade footballs in the UK. The Bala Sports team talked about the work they do before setting the group another challenge – to trade as crop growers in a third world country. With just paper, crayons and workers the teams had to produce oranges which they would then attempt to sell at market. The teams consisted of family members, including children and the elderly. Facing the hurdles of a third world country the students had to try and make an income to support their families. The purpose of the challenge? To highlight the importance of Fair Trade.

     

As a treat for the all hard work put in during both challenges that students were treated to an afternoon at Bounce, a large indoor trampoline park on the outskirts of Peterborough. The students and a few of the teachers let of steam in the park while the other staff took time to catch up.

One day four students and teachers were in for a real treat with a visit to the Warner Brothers, Harry Potter Studios in London. In addition to a tour of studios, which tells the story of the making of Harry Potter, the project team attended a film making workshop. The day was a huge success demonstrated by the faces of some very excited students.

                                                                                                                                                                                               

It’s hard to believe how quickly the final day of the visit to England came round. On day five we visited the world renowned city of Cambridge, but not before a quick stop off at Hotel Chocolat for some very important Fair Trade chocolate purchases.

Upon arriving at Cambridge we headed straight for the River Cam for a punting tour of the colleges and historical buildings. It was a little chilly, to say the least, but some blankets and good company kept us warm as we soaked in the wonders of Cambridge and its famous universities.

After the punting tour the students and teachers spent the afternoon exploring the city of Cambridge independently before making their way back to coach to head back to Peterborough.

We had a fantastic week hosting the students and teachers in England and hope that everyone found the week informative and enjoyable.