The Business department offers students the opportunity to gain a real understanding of the world of business – a world that will impact their lives now and will have a major impact on their future career opportunities. Our experienced specialist staff have considerable experience in developing business skills within students alongside strong understanding and examination skills that result in results that reflect high added value. Business is dynamic, requiring continually changing learning materials. Marketing now includes use of social media and we also look at the ethics of plastic packaging and the role of chasing profit where consumers have more ethical concerns.
Key Stage 4
While studying GCSE Business you learn a lot of new things. You will be introduced to the world of small businesses and will look at what makes someone a successful business person. You will find out how to develop an idea and spot an opportunity, and turn that into a successful business. You will gain a keen understanding of how to make a business effective and manage money. You will also see how the world around us affects small businesses and all the people involved.
Key Stage 5
Business Studies is a highly relevant and interesting subject, both for progression to university or directly into business management. The Business elements have an enterprise theme, allowing them to gain skills and knowledge directly relevant to the management of business or management of their own business, in either a domestic or international context. During this course students develop insight into how markets, national economies and international economies work and interact.
Staff
- Ms A Stowers (Head of Department)
- Mr R Jackson
Intent & implementation
In Business Studies we aim to add value for all students. All staff have up to date knowledge and understanding of our subject and work as a team to help our students reach their full potential. Business emphasise thinking and decision making skills that will be of real value in the workplace and economic wellbeing. Our curriculum contextualises workplace learning through use of real life situations and problem solving scenarios. Students develop personal qualities such as being able to self-criticise their own work, and are able to work in teams. AFL and AOL are made using exam questions and case studies, hence students develop skills of analysis, application and evaluation to the examination framework and criteria.
We aim to achieve the highest student achievement which is our central purpose of teaching and assessment.
We provide opportunities and feedback for students to improve work.
We aim to help the students to develop a range of skills including personal learning and thinking skills to provide the best opportunities for students to develop.
Ensure that students are challenged and stretched within the lessons
Give our students the opportunity to develop their skills and explore a wider learning context.
Our students will be entrepreneurial, independent learners, confident presenters and strong team players.
Year 10 develops an initial understanding of Business covering enterprise; how to spot a business opportunity; how to put a business idea into practice, covering key financial concepts and formula; understanding the external influences of business. This prepares students for Paper 1.
Year 11 steps up a gear developing year 10 understanding looking at key area such as Growth; Marketing; Financial Appraisal and Human Resource management, examined through more in depth case study questions in paper 2.
Developing Cultural Capital
In Business Studies, we consider ethical versus non ethical profit based decision making. Looking at trade off between the two in the business context. We consider international trade cresting understanding of our place in the wider world, again considering the ethical and profitability of marketing and production sourcing with respect to worker rights and resource management.
Careers Education
The study of business decision making gives students skills directly relevant to business and wider employment. Students develop budgeting and planning skills, analysis and interpretation of data, market analysis. Students develop a wide range of skills relevant to setting up their own business. At GCSE, business decision making introduces them to the skills needed as a manager. This is much further developed at A level, where 25% of the course is developing management decision making skills.
