This summer, we’ve been working on something a little different and very close to home.
As part of Haworth Primary School’s geography curriculum, we invited Year 5 and 6 pupils behind the scenes at Wyedean to explore the world of Fairtrade and global trade.
Haworth itself has a proud connection to Fairtrade, becoming the first village in the UK to be awarded Fairtrade status in 2022. So, what better way to bring those lessons to life than by teaming up with a local business that works with partners all over the world?
A Four-Week Journey from Classroom to Factory Floor
The project kicked off with a series of short films created by our team, explaining topics like:
- How Fairtrade works
- The global supply chain
- How world events affect trade
- The steps involved in producing and delivering our products
Armed with this new knowledge, the pupils were challenged to create their own video blog about what they’d learned.
Teacher Felicity Lacey told us the experience “dovetailed perfectly” with the school’s curriculum:
“Our geography curriculum activities around fairtrade and global trade dovetailed perfectly into Wyedean’s real-life experiences and operations. Using Wyedean’s insights, the children looked at where raw materials come from, how they’re manufactured and how they’re sold on.”
Watch the Winning Video
Before the tour, Haworth Primary School pupils presented their finished videos. We were so impressed with the creativity and insight they showed and the winning video is below.
A Factory Tour to Remember
The four-week journey ended with a visit to our Bridgehouse Mill factory, where the pupils saw our weaving, braiding, and badge-making up close and even met members of our team from Pakistan via video call.
For many, it was their first time stepping inside a factory. Eleven-year-old Jack summed it up perfectly:
“I had no idea Wyedean was even here, or what it made! I couldn’t believe they made costumes for films like Harry Potter, Fury and James Bond! Being able to visit the factory at the end of the project was a great way to see it happen in person.”
Why This Project Matters
Wyedean has been manufacturing military and ceremonial uniform accoutrements since 1964. We supply everyone from the British Armed Forces and Metropolitan Police to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and our work is guided by ethical trading practices.
Managing Director Robin Wright says sharing that with the next generation is vital:
“Our products are rich in tradition, history and heritage, and are sought after all over the world. We’re delighted to share our knowledge and best practice with the next generation, and to fuel their interest in business, industry, and ethical trading.”
