Looking to inspire your business studies class and show them that your teachings apply directly to the real world? A trip to the Capital is a fantastic way to expose pupils to the fast-paced, high-flying corporate world, as London is the financial epicentre of the UK and a key player in the global business market.
An educational trip to London can provide invaluable insights into how successful busi-nesses operate and bring the curriculum of your class to life. If you’re looking for inspira-tion, here are a few of the most valuable London-based institutions to take students to on an educational trip.
Thorpe Park
Taking a group of teens to a theme park may not sound like a valuable educational trip, but Thorpe Park is a superb example of a business that has sustained success and popularity through brand repositioning and expansion.
In addition to seeing the popularity of the park firsthand (and trying a few of the adrena-line-inducing rides), an excursion here can include immensely helpful educational ex-periences that are related to the curriculum. These include 30-minute TED Talks and more comprehensive and engaging workshops, which last 45 minutes. The marketing workshop reveals the evolution Thorpe Park’s brand repositioning and the methods used for expansion, along with the benefits and risks attached.
The Bank of England
There is nowhere better to take pupils to learn about global finance and commerce than The Bank of England, which is the world’s second oldest central bank. The institution itself is not open to the public, but there is an onsite museum that houses exhibitions re-lating to the development of the bank. What’s more, the museum features exhibitions about the bank’s history and momentous value to the global economy. There are also a range of excellent presentations on offer, which are free of charge and last between 15 minutes and one hour. Topics include:
•An Introduction to the Museum: An overview of the history, architecture and cur-rent work.
•The Bank of England, Past & Present: A deep insight into the history of the finan-cial institution.
•Keeping on an Even Keel: The role and responsibilities of the bank in a film and Q&A session.
•Pounds & Pence: The history and purpose of money.
The Museum of Brands
The Museum of Brands is a brilliant place to take a business studies class, as it shows the work that goes on behind the scenes at many iconic UK brands, including OXO and Marmite. In addition to showing how these companies have maintained their success over the years, the museum also demonstrates how consumer culture has changed over the last century.
An educational trip here includes introductory talks, a fun quiz that involves recalling slo-gans of popular brands, a tour of the Branding Hall and Time Tunnel and other immersive experiences. It is also possible to take part in curriculum-arranged workshops, which are highly interactive, good fun and incredibly valuable.
London is a terrific place for an educational trip with a business studies group, as there are so many vital institutions here that can bring your curriculum to life. Arranging these visits can be complex, so it is worth approaching a specialised school tour operator to organise the visit for a stress-free and successful class excursion to the Capital.
John Gardiner is the Managing Director of The School Travel Company, a tour operator specialising in educational trip itineraries for school and youth groups to the UK, Europe and beyond. As a father and avid traveller, John is very passionate about providing students with valuable and engaging learning experiences outside of the classroom. By sharing his expert advice with teachers, he allows them to inspire their students and bring their studies to life.
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