Business Studies Department
We are a dynamic and innovative department with an excellent range of teaching and learning techniques and experience. All staff have worked in industry and we feel that this is vital in providing real knowledge and understanding of how the business world works to our students. We are very creative in our lessons and outlook. We often use practical projects such as bridge building, animation making and Dragons Den type activities to bring business theory to life for our students.
We also develop our students’ enterprise skills throughout each lesson and activity as we understand that skills building in our students is fundamental in them becoming successful young adults. We pride ourselves on the strong relationships we have with our students and the mutual respect we share. Our expectations of students are extremely high and students always respond to this in a positive, productive manner.
Courses - Year 10 and 11
There is the option of taking the straight GCSE course that is equivalent to 1 GCSE. This course has 1 piece of coursework in Year 10 (25% of the overall grade) and 1 exam in Year 10 (25% of the overall grade). This means that by the end of year 10, half the GCSE has been completed. The Year 10 Summer exam can be re-sat in January if required. In Year 11, there is 1 exam in June that is 50% of the overall grade. This course is extremely suited to those who like to debate, problem solve and can put themselves in other peoples’ shoes. Our A*-C pass rate is exceptional and last year one of students gained a score that put him in the top ten in the country.
BTEC First Business – This course is similar in the way it is taught to that of the GCSE above, however the method of assessment is purely coursework. Three assignments on business issues are completed over the 2 year period. The course is equivalent to 2 GCSE. It is suited to those who enjoy the business theory and have knowledge of what is happening in the outside world, but prefer coursework to exams. The course is extremely popular with students and we have a 100% A* - C pass rate.
We currently have over 90 students taking a Business Studies course at GCSE. It is a growing and extremely popular subject within the school.
Courses - Sixth form
Business Studies AS/A2 – Students take an AS in the subject in Year 12 (worth half an A-Level) and complete the second half of the A-level in Year 13. In Year 12, students undertake one exam in January and one in May which is based on a pre-released Business case study. In Year 13, both exams in January and June are based on pre-released case studies. We have chosen this particular exam board due to the pre-released case studies. In our experience, our students develop an in depth and holistic approach to the topic that is assessed in the exam by using this method. Our A-level course is one of the most popular and respected in the school. It is dynamic and the teaching and learning is constantly changing as we assess what is happening in the business world and our reactions to it. We currently have over 30 studying this subject at Year 12 and 13.
Business Studies BTEC National Award– The course is 100% coursework assessed. Again, students undertake a general Business education and are able to choose 6 assignments to complete over the two year period. The BTEC National Award is equivalent to 1 A-level and as such, the same amount of time as the AS and A2 (4 hours per week) is dedicated to studying this course. This course especially suits those students who have a head for business but prefer the assignment based form of assessment. The BTEC National Award is an excellent route in sixth form for those who have studied in the same way at GCSE.
AS and A2 Law – The Law course is relatively new to the department and has already proven to be popular and challenging for our students. We offer an AS in Law in Year 12 and A2 in Year 13. In Year 12 students study an Introduction to Law Making and the Courts and this is assessed in January. The following exam in June is based on Criminal and Civil Law. In Year 13 students will study Criminal Law (Examined in January) and Concepts of Law (examined in June). The Law course is exciting, relevant and stimulates a tremendous amount of debate inside and outside of the classroom. We have many guest speakers and visits to Courts to enable students to gain a real insight into the world of Law making and law breaking.
Extra Curricular activities and our Business Partners
We are very fortunate to have expert business partners that have developed strong links with the Business Studies Department
Arcadia and Fashion Show – Over the past 2 years students in the department have planned, organised and carried out a student fashion show in conjunction with Arcadia. Topshop, Topman, Burtons and Dorothy Perkins have all provided help and assistance as well as the merchandise for the event to take place. Each year has been a great success with thousands raised for charity. We hope to be able to bring a third student fashion show to the school in the near future.
Many of our students have also had the privilege to be involved with educational visits to the Arcardia Headquarters on Oxford Street in London. Our students have been able to meet influential figures in the fashion and retail world and understand first hand how a huge retail giant such as Arcadia operates.
Mike Sylvester – Michael is a self made successful business man who gives up his valuable time to work with our sixth form classes once a month to work on problem solving activities that his and other organisations have faced. The work he has done with our students is phenomenal. His commitment and dedication to seeing them grow in confidence and enhance their employment skills is second to none. The students value his input into their academic lives and appreciate his desire to see them reach their full potential.
New York – We are currently in the initial stages of planning a Business visit to New York. We hope that when the economic situation has improved, we will be able to take our sixth form students on a visit to some of the most renowned business in the world.
