Ousedale wins Inter-County Schools Challenge

Five sixth-formers from Ousedale School in Newport Pagnell fought off competition from Harlington Upper, Denbigh High and Cardinal Newman to win this year’s inter-county schools challenge, organised annually by Cranfield School of Management. The event brought together four winners and runners up from two previous county challenges run by the world-class business school.

Pupils got to apply what they have learnt in the classroom by participating in an intense business simulation hosted at Cranfield. The challenge gave students a flavour of what it is like to run a business, work in teams and make decisions under pressure. Students’ communication and persuasiveness skills were also put to the test, with teams being required to present their decisions to Non-Executive Directors as well as to the media. A mock press conference was held to allow students to experience what it is like to deliver a press statement while being filmed.

Karen Valverde, Business Simulations Manager in the Centre for Customised Executive Development at Cranfield School of Management, said: “The students seemed to have a lot of fun doing the business simulation. The exercise improves their decision-making skills, develops their team-working abilities and increases their knowledge of key business areas. In particular they learnt the importance of strategic thinking, the need to adapt and respond to change; as well as the chance to work in a team. Business simulations are very popular with our corporate clients who want to experiment with business concepts in a fun, challenging but risk-free environment.”

The Centre for Customised Executive Development at Cranfield is a world leader in tailored organisational development, working in close partnership with clients on bespoke projects that deliver both individual and organisational change. To find out more about Cranfield’s extensive portfolio of both web-enabled and paper-based simulations, contact Karen Valverde on +44 (0)1234 754427, e: k.l.valverde@cranfield.ac.uk

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Notes to editors

For a photograph of the winning team or to arrange an interview please contact Emily Reed, Media Relations Office, Cranfield School of Management on T: +44 (0) 1234 754348 or E: emily.reed@cranfield.ac.uk

Photo caption – Ousedale’s winning team receiving their trophy from Cranfield School of Management consultants Paul Morton and Camilla Jonsson.

Cranfield School of Management is one of Europe’s leading university management schools renowned for its strong links with industry and business. It is committed to providing practical management solutions through a range of activities including postgraduate degree programmes, management development, research and consultancy. www.som.cranfield.ac.uk

The Centre for Customised Executive Development at Cranfield has a reputation as a world leader in tailored organisational development. In the 2011 Financial Times Ranking of executive education providers, Cranfield is ranked as the top UK business school, and 12th in the world, for customised executive development. For over 21 years, the Centre has worked in close partnership with clients on bespoke executive education projects that deliver both individual and organisational change.