CHALLENGING BUSINESS @ CHANDLER'S FIELD

55  year six pupils (ten & eleven year olds) from Chandler's Field Primary School had a hugely enjoyable day  running their own companies. The students took part in a ‘SATRO Business Game’ - a business simulation game, organised by SATRO, a not for profit charity who offer opportunities to enhance relationships between schools and businesses, on 9th October.

SATRO's business volunteers alongside class teachers were at hand to offer advice and encouragement to the young entrepreneurs. As the students’ fledgling companies emerged, they produced prototypes and competed for stationery orders from the discerning buyers.  Bank accounts were opened and accountants wrestled with the intricacies of cash flow, whilst sales managers were intent on winning orders and marketing managers were busy promoting their companies.  The Game threw the pupils some real challenges along the way - as the businesses settled down to regular trading, they were faced with paper shortages and one off, time limited opportunities!  The pupils gained some valuable hands on learning with some companies forging ahead, taking a clear lead.

Later in the day, in a quest to win the best presentation award, the pupils prepared a short performance, outlining what they had learnt throughout the day. Competition is always tough and the judges faced a challenging job selecting the winner. 

ENTREPRENEURS IN THE MAKING!

60 Year 5 & 6 Pupils from Sayes Court School in Weybridge formed 10 teams and took part in a SATRO Junior Business Game on Yesterday.  These groups consisted of mixed ability and friendship groups to emulate the real working world.

Judging from the pupil's feedback, they had a superb day which definitely opened their eyes to the world of business.  And, how important teamwork and communication are in an effective organisation.

The pupils thoroughly enjoyed the workshop and learnt about the hard work and skills involved in the business world. 

Many thanks to Cllr John Furey who fully funded this event.

LAST EVENT OF THE ACADEMIC YEAR!

Yesterday, SATRO headed over to Rodborough Technology College for our last event for this academic year! We delivered another of our Business Games to around 180 students. The participants were required to run their own stationery company for the duration of the workshop. Each team consisted of different 'Job Roles' including Managing Directors, Marketing Managers and Sales Managers to name a few. Each individual was given a role along with responsibilities that they were to keep on top of throughout the day. Over the course of the day, students were faced with different challenges including a Newspaper Advert and an increase in resource prices. The game aims to educate students about the real working world and the importance of skills such as teamwork and time management. It's clear from the students feedback that they have thoroughly enjoyed the experience and learnt many important life and employability skills.

BUSINESS AT ST PETER'S

On 15th and 16th July, SATRO delivered Business Games to St Peter's Catholic Comprehensive School in Guildford. A group of lovely SATRO volunteers were on side to help the students on the first day. The second day was kindly funded by Allianz who sent a group of employees to help and guide the students in the Business Game. The students were required to run their own stationery business over the course of the day, each had a different role with different responsibilities that they had to keep on top of during the game. The students seem to have thoroughly enjoyed the experience and gained a great insight into the real working world, and the importance of teamwork, time management and cooperating with peers.

STUDENTS GAIN INSIGHT @ GLEBELANDS

On 8^th July, 55 Year 10 students from Glebelands school gained an invaluable insight into the world of work when they took part in the SATRO Business Game. Teams of students became stationery companies for the day manufacturing booklets which they had to sell to a discerning panel of buyers. The game stretched their minds and abilities in a way they never thought possible. They had a myriad of business decisions to make as the game unfolded and were aided in their tasks by a number of business volunteers whose job it was to guide, support and encourage their teams as they got to grips with all the challenges inherent in running a business.

The stress levels were high as companies competed with each other to see who could make the most profit. Many valuable life skills were learnt.

SUCCESS @ SOUTHFIELD PARK PRIMARY

On Wednesday 3rd July, SATRO headed to Southfield Park Primary School for the last Junior Business Game of this academic year. 60 pupils were put through their paces during a hugely exciting day running a stationery company.

As the pupils' fledgling companies emerged, they produced prototypes and competed for stationery orders from the panel of buyers.  Bank accounts were opened and accountants wrestled with the difficulties of cash flow, whilst sales managers were intent on winning orders and marketing managers were busy promoting their businesses.  The Game threw the students some real challenges along the way, including paper shortages and one off, time limited, opportunities to make more money for their companies!

Later in the day, in a bid to win the best presentation award, the students prepared short presentations, outlining what they had learnt.  Competition is always tough and the judges had a challenging job selecting the winner.

A NEW PERSPECTIVE ON BUSINESS @ PARKSIDE PREP

On Thursday 26th June, students from Parkside Prep School in Stoke D'Abernon formed 5 teams to take part in SATRO's Business Game. 

SATRO's business volunteers alongside class teachers were at hand to offer advice and encouragement to the young entrepreneurs. As the students’ fledgling companies emerged, they produced prototypes and competed for stationery orders from the discerning buyers.  Bank accounts were opened and accountants wrestled with the intricacies of cash flow, whilst sales managers were intent on winning orders and marketing managers were busy promoting their companies.  The Game threw the students some real challenges along the way - as the businesses settled down to regular trading, they were faced with paper shortages and one off, time limited opportunities!  The students gained some valuable hands on learning with some companies forging ahead, taking a clear lead.

Later in the day, in a quest to win the best presentation award, the students prepared a short performance, outlining what they had learnt throughout the day. Competition is always tough and the judges faced a challenging job selecting the winner. 

One student commented,

 "I was very surprised at how enjoyable the days activity was and I will go away from this with a better thought on companies. I thought today would be a lecture in the performance hall. (I was pleasantly surprised.) I learnt that businesses aren't boring and are very competitive. I thoroughly enjoyed myself today and would like to thank the SATRO Volunteers for their help in today's activities!"

HARD WORKERS @ HEATHSIDE GET DOWN TO BUSINESS

Two SATRO Business Games were held at Heathside School in Weybridge last week. Over the two days, around 400 keen students from Year 10 took part. Participants had to start up a company and discuss their logo, company name and their roles within the business. They were then set the task of making and selling the goods to make a profit. The exciting  day ended with a presentation where the judges choose the winner.

One student commented, 

"The dynamics and roles of how a company functioned surprised me, but also helped me to learn how to work in a team to be successful. Working with different people I normally would not have, helped me to be more confident with my employability skills too."

Another commented, 

 "I was surprised by the freedom and how our choices affected us, we were given the freedom to make our own decisions with little or no guidance to the correct answer/product. I learnt how companies work and function with specific people doing very important and vital roles to make the company successful."

Some very valuable lessons!