In the Michaelmas Term Year 9 embarked on the much anticipated visit to the Cadbury factory at 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 factory tour investigating the historic roots of chocolate and the Cadbury family.  The girls extended their understanding of chocolate making, Cadbury’s links with Ghana, and how Cadburys is adapting to its new owners, Kraft Foods.

As well as the factory tour pupils also had the opportunity to listen to a very interesting talk presented by Cadburys Education Manager, Colin Pitt.  The girls were able to find out why Kraft Foods bought Cadburys in 2010, and in 2012 why Cadburys was incorporated into a new global snacks business, Mondelez International.  It was interesting to discover that Cadburys caring philosophy towards its workers and cocoa producers in the developing world continues today, even with the significant changes in ownership.  Each year Cadbury workers are involved in many charitable fund raising activities, money raised is matched by the company for charities in the UK and beyond.  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).  As always Colin was overwhelmed with a multitude of though-provoking questions and praised the girls on 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 great to see the process of making chocolate and even more fun to eat it afterwards.”

“It was interesting to find out about the caring and positive attitude of the Cadbury family towards their factory workers and cocoa farmers.”

“I was very interested to hear about Cadbury’s new products and factories in The Czech Republic and Russia.”