business studies

SUBJECT OVERVIEW

At Redhill we believe that it is important for all students to have experience of Business and Financial management from an early age. Whilst students will not officially begin studying Business as an option choice until Year 10, all students will study key business and finance units of work through their PSHE program of study starting in year 7 continuing through until year 11. In addition to this, fortnightly tutor sessions will have an enterprise theme aimed at developing students’ enterprise skills which are closely matched to the skills developed in the business course at GCSE. This will allow students to have a good foundation of Business prior to making their option choices.

If chosen as an option at key stage 4, students will study OCR GCSE Business. The topics that are studied as part of the course are: Business Activity; Marketing; People; Operations; Finance and Influences on Business.

The business department have access to I.T equipment and software for students to develop their business knowledge and skills as well as the use of traditional classrooms to develop theory of key concepts in business. For all Extended Learning projects that students complete we focus on using either cloud or open-source software so students can assess and track their work in the classroom, at home or during extended periods of absence.

INTENT

Within this 2-year model there will be a mix of knowledge and skill development and assessment with gradual removal of scaffold support as the students move through the 2 years. Continual re-capping of topics, re-teaching of key concepts and re-assessment over the 2 years will support in the preparation for their exam at the end of Year 11.

The overall aim of Business at Redhill School is to provide an engaging curriculum that allows students to develop into financially literate individuals. It provides them with flexible business skills to adapt to a consistently changing and challenging area of study. It empowers students to make decisions at post-16 and to successfully contribute to the business world in their future years.

Business Studies has deep links with mathematics as students will need to process numerical data and also links to citizenship, careers and entrepreneurship. The course is designed to develop skills and enhance learning across the curriculum and prepare students with transferable skills that can be applied to further education and the world of work.

When students leave Redhill, they may be working for a business or other organisation as part of an apprenticeship program. After studying Business, students will have a valuable insight into just how businesses operate, including how to set up a business of their own.

All pupils benefit from business, to allow a greater and more varied route for accessing the curriculum, ensuring significantly higher achievements.

Through business lessons pupils will:

· Experience a practical course, using real businesses as examples

· Learn skills to help you in decision making

· Be one step ahead in understanding how businesses operate

According to OCR: This qualification equips learners with the skills and confidence to explore how different business situations affect business decisions. It is a well-rounded introduction to the subject. The qualification will encourage learners to make informed choices about a wide range of further learning opportunities and career pathways as well as develop life skills that enable them to become financially and commercially aware.

Wider School Opportunities

All taught sessions reference the dynamic world of business outside of the classroom with references made to the world of work and further study as well as current business topics and news. Business enables students 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.

We will continue to develop opportunities for students to gain experiences from outside the classroom. This is through guest speakers, externally run activities and trips. Follow-up lessons in business to student work-experience help to bring the subject to life and make the link between theory and real-life.

Links with Kidderminster College and their media team have already provided opportunities for the students to apply classroom knowledge to real-life scenarios.

Enterprise clubs enhance the students’ ability to plan, organise and execute projects with financial implications. This will be through pop-up shops, formation of business teams and support at school events. This will quickly allow for a deeper understanding of key business concepts on the course.

Future trips and links will continue to develop students understanding and experiences.

SMSC

Spiritual Moral Social and Cultural Development

Spiritual development – Pupils are being encouraged to explore sexism, racism and discrimination in the workplace through the discussion of employment laws. Pupils will study business ethics in Year 10 and in Year 11.

Moral development – Pupils will learn and understand the impact of actions on the environment as they will study business morals and ethics. Unit content also looks at the Data Protection Act and its main principles which set out how information should be kept safe.

Social development – Research activities in all years will help encourage pupils to work closely together in order to achieve a desired outcome. They will be encouraged to work in groups. Pupils will learn about the social aspects of business. In the Enterprise Club, students will form a business with different roles throughout the year groups and communicate with each other, teachers and parents or other outside visitors to the school.

Cultural development – Pupils will look at the importing and exporting of goods and how this affects business aims and objectives. The course also looks at globalisation and the impact of companies expanding into new territories across the globe.