Business Studies
Why should students study your subject?
Students should study Business as it provides many life skills. Students will learn how to prepare to open a start-up business by looking at the resources needed, the marketing and finances required to start a new business. Students meet local entrepreneurs and examine local businesses identifying how they operate and deal with economic and political factors. The students will also study a component on finance and marketing and be able to complete accurate financial records that include cash flow forecasting, profit and loss and statement of financial position.
The department offers trips to Alton Towers and Thorpe Park to provide the students with the opportunity to examine how these businesses operate.
What skills does your subject teach?
Students will also develop the knowledge needed for various office software and how they will be used in businesses. Students will have good understanding of time management and ensure they meet deadlines for tasks. Students will be taught evaluation and analysis skills. The students will be given the opportunity to work as part of team and collaborate with their peers and understand the importance of independent thinking and being able to work independently. The coursework and class work completed will develop numeracy and literacy skills
Why is your subject useful for the world of work, or future employment? What kind of jobs could someone do using your subject? How can students take your subject further, eg at college, university, the world of work etc
Almost every organisation operates as a business and the content taught within Business Studies will be transferred to the world of work and help gain future employment.
The types of job roles would include: project management, account manager, accountant, financial analyst, marketing manager, adverting and marketing, Human resources manager, sales manager, production manager, sales and customer service advisor, teacher and careers in business law.
With a Business qualification, students could go on to study various Business courses or Diplomas with many disciplines such as accountancy, human resources or marketing. Or alternatively other courses such as Accountancy, Finance or Law
What is your overall curriculum intent?
Business Studies at this school contributes to the whole school curriculum intent by developing pupil knowledge of businesses that operate around them locally, nationally and internationally.
The overarching intent of our curriculum for Business Studies is to:
• Develop and foster a love of learning for the subject
• Make learning, exploring and investigating the subject fun and enjoyable
• Increases students awareness that businesses permeate through all aspects of their lives such as their career, social lives and hobbies
• Equip students with the knowledge to become economically responsible citizens who contribute to the local community
• Encourage students to be enquiring and develop independent research skills
• Challenge students to strive for success and achievement
• Develop confidence and a ‘can do’ attitude to learning
• Equip students with key kills in planning, market research, communication, problem solving and carrying out financial transactions
• Provide a caring and supportive environment in which students learn and achieve their potential
The Business Studies department has defined a number of core first order concepts that we feel are essential to the development of knowledge and understanding. These are to acquire knowledge, skills and behaviours related to researching, planning, pitching and reviewing an enterprise idea as part of their Key Stage 4 learning through vocational contexts. Students will develop their technical skills as well as their personal skills through a practical and skills based approach to learning and assessment.
How is it implemented?
We teach Business Studies via a series of carefully sequenced units which are organised around enquiry questions and the development of the substantive and disciplinary knowledge of the BTEC Tech Award specification and the requirements of the course as well as the development of the substantive and disciplinary knowledge of how businesses operate.
End points for each unit, in terms of the knowledge we intend pupils to acquire, are clearly defined in the medium term plans and shared with pupils and parents/carers.
Throughout KS4 departmental planning will identify the key knowledge concepts to be learned by pupils, embedded in long term memory and to be checked by teachers during lessons and via more formal assessment.
Examination
The BTEC course is assessed with two internally assessed units of coursework and an external examination completed in year 11.
How can someone improve in your subject?
Students are encouraged to use BBC Bitesize, Pearson website, Kahoot.com, FBEC Tube for various videos.
Students should also refer to the Pearson Revision Guide for the externally assessed unit.
How can students find out more?
Students are encouraged to read around the subject and prepare for higher education by looking at content required for A levels and Level 3 study.
Students can try the competition www.bigideachallenge.com and www.youngenterprise.co.uk.