Business Studies

The vision of this course is in line with the school vision – Nurturing today’s young people, inspiring tomorrow’s leaders. Business studies aims to create an environment for learning that is dynamic in terms of its delivery of subject material. Stimulating lessons for pupils create awareness of events and issues within the global business and economic environment. We incorporate the use of technology in engaging our pupils and ensuring they achieve their potential during their studies. The curriculum follows GCSE Edexcel 1-9 specification which is broad and balanced for all of our pupils. Pupils study GCSE Business Studies at KS4, allowing progression onto further education.

The whole-school curriculum operates at three levels and addresses pupils’ academic, personal and social development. The three individual elements of learning provide a different component to the education of every pupil. Intellectual, personal and social maturity will be the goal of these structured layers of learning at the school.  There are three guiding elements which are brought to life in the Business curriculum:

Educational Excellence: Business’ teachers engender an appreciation of the beauty and power of business and a sense of enjoyment and curiosity about the subject.

Character Development: Pupils are equipped with entrepreneurial skills and have the capability to think critically in problem-solving tasks and the ability to work on innovative business proposals with appreciation of diversity, respect for others, tolerance and teamwork

Service to Communities: Business teachers promote independence, ethical and collaboration work in the classroom when solving problems to real life . Pupils are encouraged to use their business  transferrable skills in everyday life and recognise how they underpin advances in globalisation.

Within Business, we aim to foster understanding of fundamental business concepts and develop transferable skills. In lessons, we encourage pupils to apply their business knowledge in order to solve problems creatively, analyse complex issues thoughtfully and evaluate opportunities effectively, helping to prepare them for their next steps in education, employment or training. We want pupils to understand how their learning in business will empower them to be successful in their future career – whatever that may be.

The following principles underpin the business curriculum:

• Essential declarative knowledge that outlines the key facts, formulae, conventions and symbols to be learned to secure automaticity.
• The disciplinary knowledge allows pupils use their substantive knowledge to make links between and across different areas of the curriculum. The disciplinary knowledge equips pupils to use correct business terminology and it also provides them the opportunity to explain how and why products have changed over time. There is a focus on knowledge and understanding to suggest how existing products may be improved with the advances in modern technology; this subsequently supports Cultural Capital for pupils to become global business people in an ever changing and technologically advancing world.
• The procedural knowledge is shared as broad ‘learning aims’ so there is a chance for pupils to deepen knowledge and understanding and ensure a mastery approach to the curriculum. Procedural knowledge is represented through designing skills of each individual and how they tackle given problems.

In readiness to complete this qualification at KS4, the core skills and subject knowledge content from KS3 computing forms the foundation for further study of Business Studies exclusively at KS4.

When studying Business, there is a real emphasis on developing the skills of all pupils to know and understand business concepts, business terminology, business objectives, the integrated nature of business activity and the impact of business on individuals and wider society by:

• applying knowledge and understanding to contemporary business issues and to different types and sizes of businesses in local, national and global contexts
• developing as enterprising individuals with the ability to think commercially and creatively to demonstrate business acumen, and draw on evidence to make informed business decisions and solve business problems
• developing as effective and independent pupils, and as critical and reflective thinkers with enquiring minds
• using an enquiring, critical approach to make informed judgements
• investigating and analysing real business opportunities and issues to construct well-argued, well-evidenced, balanced and structured arguments, demonstrating their depth and breadth of understanding of business
• developing and apply quantitative skills relevant to business, including using and interpreting data.

Over the course of 3 years, pupils will follow the Edexcel Business (9-1) specification.  This course comprises of 2 units of study with the assessment being taken in the final year.  Below is a summary of the curriculum:

Below is a breakdown of the units of study.

The business pupils have developed an internal social enterprise initiative called ‘Uniformity’.  This enterprise upcycles uniforms and retails to parents at a competitive price with the proceeds covering the costs of dry cleaning the uniform and 100% of the profits being donated to charity – in this case supporting the Trust SHINE charity.  This initiative from start to end, the running, the finances the customer service and all items including in the success of this enterprise is driven and empowered by the pupils.  Business pupils are integral in ensuring the enterprise continues and thrives within the dynamic nature of commerce.

In addition, a stationary stall has been set up within the school to support pupils to be better organised and better equipped for their learning. To reduce the number of Behaviour for Learning points being accrued for organisation, a stationary stall has been set up which allows pupils to restock each Monday morning at break time. The stall is operated by pupils within the school day and they are empowered to ensure stock, finances, marketing and all elements linked to the success; are managed and implemented by them.

These social enterprises allow pupils to lead and drive many differing business aspects from a controlled and supportive environment.  The hope is these opportunities develop the entrepreneurs of the future.

The Business Studies Study Experience is a residential education programme based at Disneyland® Paris, a world-class entertainment and leisure business. The Resort is part of the massive Disney empire and leads the way in customer service, human resources, financial planning and marketing. Study Experiences covers key material from the most popular business studies examination specifications. Our aim is to bring classroom teaching alive through an exploration of the related working practices at Disneyland® Paris. Each topic is reflected in the Seminar, Workshop or Student, Assignments.

GCSE Business Studies opens up many options for pupils at Sixth Form and then university, and there are many courses available with permutations of Business/Management/Administration/ Accounting and Finance. Business and Management graduates typically progress to careers in areas such as business development, marketing, finance and commerce. Below are some options:

Careers – Accountant, Management Consultant, Social Media Manager, Financial Analyst, Business Teacher, Business Reporter, Actuarial analyst, Business adviser, Business analyst, Business development manager, Corporate investment banker, Data analyst, Data scientist, Forensic accountant, Insurance underwriter, Management consultant, Project manager, Risk manager, Stockbroker, Supply chain manager.

Future learning  – A Level Business, A Level Product Design, A Level Economics, A Level Geography, A Level Government & Politics, A Level Mathematics, A Level Psychology, A Level Sociology or BTEC Level 3 Business

Pupils with SEND are offered a wide, aspirational and ambitious curriculum across all subject areas through the All Stars Succeed strategy which emphasises the importance of Quality First Teaching. Every teacher has been trained on the understanding of pupil needs and implementation of high-impact adaptive strategies to enable pupils with SEND to make excellent progress, such as the use of High 5 strategies (informed by research conducted by the EEF) to create an inclusive environment in their teaching spaces. Moreover, the subject-specific All Stars Succeed charters allow for the implementation of subject-specific support in the classroom to help pupils overcome their barriers.

Collaboration between Learning Support Assistants (LSAs) and classroom practitioners on MS Teams before, during and after a lesson is a pivotal mechanism to ensure there is a coordinated approach towards support for pupils with SEND. This is evidenced with a purple pen in student books.

Star Maps are created in collaboration with the SENCO, class teachers, pupils and parents advising on strategies to help break down any barriers to learning. Strategies include adaptive teaching methods that are specific to a particular need as well as subject-specific adaptive teaching methods for subjects in which a pupil may find additional challenge due to his need. Star Maps are reviewed on a termly basis strategies by teachers, parents and pupils. These meetings are led by members of the senior leadership team. Star Maps support pupils with a variety of needs including, visual impairment, cognition and learning difficulties, physical disabilities, speech, language and communication difficulties, autistic spectrum disorder, dyslexia, and social, emotional and mental health difficulties.

Ancillary aids and assistive technologies are also utilised to enhance provision and ensure access. Learning aids are deployed to specific pupils with SEN, particularly those with visual impairments and difficulties with writing. Pupils are provided with a mobile learning device to aid research, independent working and innovative approaches to learning. Pupils are also given access to a Virtual Learning Environment through Microsoft Teams and Microsoft

OneNote to access resources and complete learning at school and at home with a device.

Specialist careers advice is provided by New Directions to prepare pupils with SEND for further education and transition to adult life.

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Business Studies Learning Journey 2023-24

In your son’s exercise book, you will find a number of key documentation:

Visual Learning Journeys – An overview of the key knowledge he will study from Y7-11 (vertical) and in your son’s specific year for each subject (horizontal).

Lesson specific Learning Journey – You will also be able to access a learning journey in your son’s exercise book which will allow him to articulate the bigger picture and make links between topics and lessons. This document includes the lesson outcome/s and key knowledge components for each lesson in the half term. This will serve as the reference point for all key learning and revision topics for the given half term whilst helping him to know more and remember more over time.