Business Studies
|
|
- Help students to develop knowledge, skills and understanding in a wide range of business contexts
Develop the confidence of students to distinguish between fact and opinion so that informed judgements can be made on topical issues - Encourage an awareness of the social and economic constraints that influence business activity and to appreciate the need for Government regulation of businesses
- Actively encourage an interest and enjoyment in the use of ICT which will engage all students regardless of gender and cultural background
- Provide students with the opportunity to learn through direct and practical experiences of the business world
- Build on previous success to enhance students expectations
- Evaluate current practice and develop new strategies to improve the teaching and learning experience of all students
- 'Add value' to the individual student's learning experience
- Support Clubs & Extra Curricular Activities
The Business Studies department makes a significant contribution to the wider life of the school. The variety of extra curricular activities offered are designed to give students the opportunity to apply business principles to the "real world", thus improving their own understanding of business activity. In addition the department offers support mechanisms designed to improve examination performance.
The Business Studies Department is located in SF4. Mr Woodbridge and Mr Hetherton teach a range of courses. These include GCSE Business, AS/A2 Business and AS/A2 Economics.
The Department uses a number of teaching styles and resources. SF4 has up to date computer facilities that are used in lessons and via the VLE.
Many of the pupils who opt for Business or Economics courses thoroughly enjoy the subject and take related degrees at university.
This is a forward thinking department with a reputation for excellent results and quality teaching and learning.
If you are in year 9 and thinking about your options for next year have a look at the Dragons Den website. It covers a lot of the issues that we look at when you start the course in year 10.
The Business Studies department delivers part of the schools PSHE scheme to years
7-10. Part of this scheme of work involves the 'School Bank'.
7-10. Part of this scheme of work involves the 'School Bank'.
HSBC has for a long time been associated with the school and we offer pupils the chance of opening their own b
ank account that they can deposit money into while at school. This introduces pupils to the importance of managing their finances at a relatively young age with the aim of making them responsible and sensible with their finances for the rest of their lives.
ank account that they can deposit money into while at school. This introduces pupils to the importance of managing their finances at a relatively young age with the aim of making them responsible and sensible with their finances for the rest of their lives.As well as the school bank the Business department arranges days off timetable for whole year groups to look at issues such as Ethical trading, Consumer protection and Value for money; as well as running PSHE sessions during form times using software specifically designed for this age group and topic.
GCSE Business at Bishop Challoner is an exciting and interactive subject that makes use of modern and traditional teaching methods. This year has seen the launch of an electronic textbook that pupils on the course can access from any computer; be it at school or from home, via the schools expanding VLE. It includes video clips, quizzes and up to date investigations of many different types of business.
We are keen to invite businesses into school and also to go on exciting visits. In the last couple of years we have visited Landrover, Jaguar and Cadbury to enhance the learning of the pupils who take this subject.
The GCSE in Business is run through Edexcel and is a new and exciting course consisting of four units. The emphasis of the course in year 10 is on starting a new business and we investigate all you need to know to be the next most successful entrepreneur!
You are assessed with an external exam at the end of year 10 worth 25% of the total marks, then a controlled assignment (carried out in the classroom and at a local business), worth again 25% of the final mark; and then at the end of year 11 one more external exam, worth 50% of the final mark.
Mr Woodbridge and Mr Hetherton teach on the course, as well as the AS/A2 courses in Business and Economics.
Each year the department is proud to be one of the most high achieving and popular departments in the school; with large numbers opting for the subject and average A* - C grades in excess of 80%.
For detailed information about the course please talk to either Mr Woodbridge or Mr Hetherton. Alternatively look at the Edexcel website by following the the link:
AS/A2 Business
At Bishop Challoner we are in the second year of the new GCE AS/A2 Business course and we have had some excellent results from the first set of exams with several A's and B's from the first group of students. So everything seems to be going well.
The exam board we use for this qualification is AQA. Brief details of the course are given below; but if you would like more information please talk to Mr Woodbridge or Mr Hetherton; alternatively follow the link to the AQA website: http://web.aqa.org.uk/qual/gce/business/business_overview.php
The AS/A2 course is split into four units.
The AS/A2 course is split into four units.
- Unit 1 Planning and Financing a Business (20% of total mark)
- Unit 2 Managing a Business (30% of total mark)
- Unit 3 Strategies for Success (25% of total mark)
- Unit 4 The Business Environment and change (25% of total mark)
All the unit are assessed via an external exam.
In brief the AS level looks at small scale business and the steps you would need to take before you start a business and then how to keep that business going successfully for the first few years.
The A2 part of the course is more concerned with larger businesses such as PLC's and how they interact with the national and international economy. There is much more of a boardroom and global approach in year thirteen!
Study Sessions
Coursework Clinics
Young Enterprise
As with other departments in the school, study sessions in Business Studies are run every second week from 3.45pm to 4.45pm. The purpose of these sessions is to provide additional support and assistance to all students. During these sessions students are given the opportunity to revise key areas of the syllabus or work on current coursework.
Coursework Clinics
These are provided twice a week during the lunchtime and after school on a Friday. The clinics give students the opportunity to focus specifically on improving their GCSE coursework marks, which have proven to have a significant impact on their final GCSE grade.
Young Enterprise
Offered as an extra curricular activity in year 8 and year 10, Young Enterprise gives students the opportunity to own and control their own business for one trading period. Students decide on the company name, the range of products or services to be sold and assign various roles within the company, e.g. Finance and Sales Directors. Students are responsible for preparing the Company accounts at the end of the year and are invited to take part in a competition covering the entire West Midlands area. Throughout the year an Adviser is attached to the Company to offer guidance and support. The Adviser is invited to attend weekly Board Meetings and is someone who currently works in Industry, be it in the manufacturing or service sector.
At the end of the year the company is dissolved, and any profits made are distributed to shareholders in the form of dividends.
Useful websites:
[top]