On Thursday 13th June, 28 Year 12 Business and Economics students attended the Ethical Reading Business Fair. Eight businesses, including: Thames Valley Police, Cotswold Fayre, Natwest, Grant Thornton, Shoosmiths, Page Group, Blake Morgan, Blandy and Blandy and Francis Construction, attended the event to help pupils explore ethical considerations in business.
There was initially a keynote speech by the Chair of Blake Morgan, after which students split out into breakout rooms. Within the rooms, there were discussions on various ethical dilemmas and scenarios presented by the businesses covering issues and problems that they had previously encountered. Some of the dilemmas were quite complex and undoubtedly stretched the students, whilst still being accessible. Our LP students were really engaged and keen to share their thoughts and ideas about the dilemmas. All the students and businesses networked over lunch before returning for a panel discussion, where students asked the businesses a variety of questions.
Business teacher, Sarah Owen, commented: “I was incredibly proud to see how many questions our students asked and some of the businesses commented on how impressed they had been with the LP students with their enthusiasm and insightful questions. The students really enjoyed the event, they loved meeting business leaders and took the opportunity to ask them questions about a variety of issues from staff wellbeing to profit maximisation. Their questions clearly demonstrating their appreciation of the complexity and subjectivity of ethical issues”.
Marcus (Year 12) enjoyed the trip as it “gave me an insight into the way ethics is a part of business life in all different sectors. I particularly enjoyed the networking element of the event as I managed to get in contact with people who may be able to offer me work experience opportunities”.
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