Our A Level Business students recently took part in an exciting work-related learning project in partnership with Lightning Fibre, one of the South East’s leading full-fibre broadband providers.
The challenge was introduced by Emma Pearce, Marketing Director at Lightning Fibre, who tasked students with acting as business consultants to help the company identify opportunities for future growth. Working in teams, students analysed a range of potential new products and services, researched competitors, evaluated market opportunities and ultimately recommended the option they believed would offer the greatest potential for the business.
Students then developed a comprehensive marketing plan for their chosen product. This involved identifying a target audience, selecting appropriate promotional channels, creating key marketing messages and designing a mock social media campaign. Finally, teams presented their findings and recommendations to their peers, demonstrating strong communication, analytical and presentation skills.
The project provided an excellent opportunity for students to apply classroom knowledge to a genuine business scenario. By undertaking competitor analysis, market research and strategic decision-making, students gained valuable insight into the types of challenges faced by marketing professionals and senior business leaders.
Year 12 Business student, Eva Saunders, reflected on the experience:
“Having done this presentation, it brought me out of my comfort zone in a good way through talking to an audience and working in groups to research and manage who is doing what. This could be the sort of thing I am doing when I leave college, so I will be ready for working in that environment “
Ben Whittingham, Subject Lead for A Level Business, added:
“This project provided students with a fantastic opportunity to experience the realities of business decision-making. They were required to analyse evidence, justify recommendations and communicate their ideas professionally, mirroring the expectations of the workplace. Employer-led projects such as this help students develop the confidence, resilience and commercial awareness that will support them in both higher education and future employment.”
