Business encourages students to use their knowledge of ‘real life’ business situations and apply them to theory studied during lessons, enabling them to become informed and confident consumers, employees, and entrepreneurs.
The Business department at Alderbrook aims to instil into our students both our interest in and enjoyment of the courses we offer, as well as increase their awareness and understanding of the topics and issues covering the wider world. We believe that we are preparing students to work in the ever-increasing competitive world.
The programme of study in Business focusses on students applying their knowledge and understanding to business decision making. In planning our curriculum, we create opportunities to embed content and business skills on a continuous basis whilst introducing new concepts. We do this to support students in being able to build a solid foundation of learning. For example, we introduce business-based maths in years 9&10 to equip students with a basic understanding of revenue, costs, and profit this then leads to a more analytical understanding when we study analysing the financial performance of a business in Year 11. Much of the assessment material is based on real business situations. By examining and thinking critically about real business situations as they study the subject, students will gain an insight into different contexts which will help them to develop employability skills for the future.
The specifications we have chosen are aimed at giving students the opportunity to explore real business issues and how businesses work enabling students to access and engage with the world of business.
This qualification is designed to cover the fundamental business and entrepreneurial knowledge and skills associated with working in a business enterprise. The learner will undertake a programme of assessment designed to examine not only their knowledge and understanding of business, but also the way in which this knowledge and understanding can be applied to shape their practical skills in thinking and realising their own business plans. For those learners who wish their learning to be practical and active whilst making use of their own business mind-set, then Applied Business is a highly relevant qualification.
Learners explore the different ways enterprises can be owned and financed. Learners will need to understand the issues that enterprises face concerning cash flow and be able to calculate profit, break even and a cash flow.
Learners will investigate factors contributing to the success of businesses, focusing on the role of managers, supervisors, and employees.
Learners will develop an understanding of entrepreneurial opportunities and investigate how individuals can exploit these through personal enterprise.
Learners will explore how businesses operate in a changing environment. They will study the importance of leadership.
Learners will investigate the processes required to develop, present, and evaluate a business proposal.
Learners will investigate the processes required to plan for, coordinate and manage a one-off event.
Business is a changing subject, so students have the opportunity to study what is happening at the moment. It gives students the opportunity to develop a wide range of skills including, problem solving, decision making, application of numeracy, collaborative thinking, resilience, analytical and evaluative skills. Students have the opportunity to study a wide range of businesses, including small and large businesses, multinationals as well as businesses in several different industries.
A wide number of teaching techniques are used during the course that give students the opportunity to learn in a variety of ways.
The department offers its students the possibility of competing in a number of business-related challenges throughout the course. The department have links with Worcester University who offer a Business degree course.
An opportunity after school by invitation for students to have bespoke guided tutoring and the support of their teacher in small groups.
Students who have studied Business at A-level could study a wide number of business-related courses such as Business Management, Marketing, Human Resources, International Business, Business and Economics at university. Students may prefer to seek an apprenticeship opportunity in a business where their knowledge of business can be used.
Other qualities and key skills that can be gained from studying Business: